Eleven years for a truck crew

Haneef "Lew" Palmer, 33, of Philadelphia was sentenced Thursday to 11 years in federal prison for leading a cargo theft ring that hit tractor trailers across the city.

A million and a half in goods

The group took more than $1.5 million worth of cargo. Palmer was also ordered to pay $1.08 million in restitution.

Seven months of hits

The thefts ran from January through July of 2023, a steady series rather than a single score, according to prosecutors.

Crab legs, electronics, dimes

The haul was strange and specific: frozen crab legs, electronics, and $230,000 worth of dimes, which is roughly 2.3 million coins.

“Among the items they stole: frozen crab legs, electronics and $230,000 worth of dimes”

Bolt cutters and parked trucks

They struck when trailers sat unattended or while drivers slept, cutting into cargo compartments to empty them out.

“The thefts were carried out when trucks were left unattended or when drivers were asleep.”

Sold back to the neighborhood

The stolen goods did not go far. Prosecutors say the group resold them to buyers in the area.

The night it turned violent

In April 2023, Palmer and others robbed a truck carrying commercial refrigerators and attacked the driver, moving the case well past property crime.

Charged, then a guilty plea

Palmer was charged in December 2024 with conspiracy, robbery, theft of government money and related counts. He pleaded guilty in March.