Gunman sentenced today to Over 13 years’ imprisonment; codefendant got 7½ years
PHILADELPHIA. – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Naim Newsome-Bostick, 27, and Nadir Gray, 22, both of Philadelphia, Pa., have been sentenced to prison by United States District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney, for one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery.
Judge Kearney sentenced Newsome-Bostick today to 160 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment, and, in December, sentenced Gray to 92 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Newsome-Bostick and Gray were charged by superseding indictment in September 2023. In July of last year, both pleaded guilty to robbing a man they believed to be a marijuana dealer on September 14, 2022, in West Philadelphia. As part of their plea, the defendants admitted that the robbery was carried out at gunpoint.
Newsome-Bostick and Gray forced the victim into their vehicle at gunpoint, then robbed him of his Rolex watch, wallet, and $3,000. As the defendants drove around, the victim began resisting and fighting with one of the men in the back. Amid the commotion, the defendants’ vehicle crashed into a parked car. Newsome-Bostick shot the victim three times, then he and Gray fled the scene. Philadelphia police officers responded and transported the victim to hospital, where he was treated, eventually recovering from his wounds.
Newsome-Bostick was arrested later that day by the Philadelphia Police Department and Gray was arrested in September 2023 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“Anyone who thinks they can carry out an armed robbery in this city and get off scot-free should take a good look at this case,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “My office, the ATF, and the Philadelphia Police Department will continue to prioritize and prosecute these violent crimes — no matter who the victim may be — and we’ll see to it that the perpetrators are held accountable.”
“For the sake of some cash and a watch, these criminals kidnapped their victim at gun point, threatened his life, and shot him three times!» said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Philadelphia Field Office. “The victim is lucky to be alive, and the defendants are lucky to not be facing murder charges. Working with our law enforcement partners, ATF will continue to bring justice for the victims of violent crime and help make our communities safer for all.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the ATF and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert E. Eckert and Jason D. Grenell.
