Man Sentenced to 23 Years for Armed Carjackings

Keenan Righter, 21, of New Castle, Delaware, was sentenced to over 23 years in prison for his involvement in two violent carjackings.Photo byEmiliano BaronUnsplash

Keenan Righter, 21, of New Castle, Delaware, was sentenced Tuesday to more than 23 years in federal prison for his role in two armed carjackings in Delaware County, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced today.

In addition to his prison term, Righter was ordered to serve five years of supervised release, pay $1,919 in restitution, and a $500 special assessment.

According to the department, the first carjacking occurred on January 14, 2023, around 9 p.m.

Righter and others drove to a Wawa on Route 322 in Upper Chichester Township, Delaware County, where they ambushed a 23-year-old college student walking to his car.

Righter and another man, both armed and wearing masks, pistol-whipped the victim in the head and stole his vehicle.

The department says that the second carjacking took place on January 24, 2023, at approximately 1:30 a.m., at another Wawa, this time on Edgmont Avenue in Brookhaven, Delaware County.

Righter and an accomplice, again masked and armed, assaulted a 33-year-old victim in the parking lot, repeatedly pistol-whipping him before fleeing in his vehicle.

Righter was arrested following an investigation led by the FBI’s Newtown Square Resident Agency, in collaboration with local law enforcement. Digital forensic evidence and other investigative tools linked Righter to both carjackings, the department stated.

Righter now faces severe consequences for the violent crimes he committed, with more than two decades in federal prison and additional penalties.

“Imagine the shock of being violently ambushed on a Wawa run, of all things,” said U.S. Attorney Romero.

“Keenan Righter targeted and terrorized total strangers, just to steal their cars. Armed criminals who think they can victimize innocent people with impunity should take a good hard look at 21-year-old Mr. Righter’s 23-year prison sentence.”