PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Philadelphia man was sentenced this week to 121 months in federal prison for his role in a cargo theft conspiracy that targeted tractor-trailers carrying more than $1.5 million in goods, including a shipment of more than $230,000 in U.S. dimes, federal prosecutors said.
Haneef Palmer, 33, also known as “Lew,” was sentenced by U.S. District Chief Judge Wendy Beetlestone to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $1,080,786.44 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Palmer pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery, possession of items from an interstate shipment theft, theft of government money, possession of stolen government money and five counts of theft from an interstate shipment. He had been charged in a superseding indictment in December 2024.
According to court filings and statements cited by prosecutors, Palmer and his co-defendants targeted tractor-trailers around Philadelphia between Jan. 1 and July 31, 2023, stealing goods moving in interstate commerce.
Members of the conspiracy would target trailers left unattended overnight or while drivers were sleeping, prosecutors said. Participants used bolt cutters and other tools to break into trailers before offering the stolen merchandise for sale to local contacts, according to the government.
Palmer admitted participating in an April 1, 2023, robbery of a tractor-trailer carrying commercial refrigerators during which he and others attacked and injured the driver, prosecutors said.
He also admitted participating in the April 13 theft of more than $230,000 worth of U.S. dimes.
The conspiracy involved more than 10 victims and goods with an estimated combined value exceeding $1.5 million, according to prosecutors.
The FBI and Philadelphia Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Bowerman and Christopher Diviny prosecuted it.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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