OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERALPress Releases
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for His Role in Two Major Criminal Conspiracies
September 15, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General
Defendant Admitted to Participating in Large-Scale Cargo Thefts, Omerta Racketeering Enterprise
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Rakiem Savage, 28, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 108 months’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $1,300 special assessment by Chief United States District Judge Wendy Beetlestone for his role in two major criminal conspiracies. In addition, Savage was ordered to pay restitution in each case — $234,474.80 in a cargo theft conspiracy and $37,425 in a racketeering conspiracy.
As detailed in court filings and statements, between January 1 and July 31, 2023, Savage conspired with his co-defendants to steal goods moving as parts of interstate shipments located on tractor trailers around Philadelphia.
While a trailer was unattended overnight, or while the driver was asleep, the members of the conspiracy participating in the theft would use bolt cutters and other tools to break into the trailer and steal the goods inside. The members of the conspiracy would then offer the goods for sale to local contacts.
Among other acts, Savage admitted to participating in the April 1, 2023, robbery of a tractor trailer carrying commercial refrigerators, during which members of the conspiracy attacked and injured the driver; and the theft of over $230,000 worth of U.S. dimes on April 13, 2023.
The members of the conspiracy committed numerous other thefts, as well, stealing goods with a total estimated value of more than $1.5 million from more than 10 victims.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander Bowerman and Christopher Diviny.
In addition, the defendant admitted to participating in the Omerta racketeering enterprise, which operated primarily in Philadelphia’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, perpetrating an array of financial crimes, along with numerous violent offenses.
From at least August 2018 through August 2023, Savage conspired with others in Omerta to engage in these criminal activities, which included counterfeiting U.S. currency, robbery, theft, fraud, drug trafficking, and gun crimes, in which members used firearms to protect gang territory, retaliate against rivals, and enforce discipline within the organization.
The Omerta case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, and the Philadelphia Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Everett Witherell, Shayna Gannone, and Meghan Claiborne Bisio.
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