PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Philadelphia woman who admitted participating in a gunpoint carjacking in South Philadelphia last year was sentenced Monday to more than seven years in federal prison.
Khala Hardy, 24, received an 85-month prison sentence followed by five years of supervised release from U.S. District Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro for her role in the March 2024 carjacking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Federal prosecutors said Hardy and co-defendant Nyeem Williamson, 23, targeted a woman who was dropping off a friend in South Philadelphia on the night of March 15, 2024.
According to court filings, Hardy approached the driver’s side of the victim’s Toyota, opened the door, pointed a firearm at the woman, and ordered her to surrender the vehicle and keys.
Prosecutors stated the victim exited the vehicle and Hardy drove away after Williamson entered the car.
Court documents revealed Hardy later instructed Williamson through group chat messages on how to disable the vehicle’s GPS system and onboard cameras to avoid detection by law enforcement.
Williamson was arrested by Philadelphia police three days later and initially charged in local court. Prosecutors said Hardy later instructed other individuals who had communicated with Williamson to delete text messages connected to the crime.
Authorities said Hardy later gave a voluntary statement to agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives admitting her involvement in the carjacking.
Hardy and Williamson were charged by federal indictment in October 2024 with conspiracy to commit carjacking, carjacking, and using and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
Hardy pleaded guilty in July 2025. Williamson pleaded guilty in March and is scheduled to be sentenced in August.
The case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department and ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha A. Arena is prosecuting the case.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.