Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Maximum Prison Term for Shooting Death in Oconee County
Ahkil Nasir Crumpton, also known as “Crump,” 26, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received the maximum statutory sentence of 30 years in federal prison today for his involvement in the shooting death of a man from Oconee County, Georgia. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Tilman “Tripp” Self, III on March 18, following Crumpton’s conviction on federal charges related to the case.
Crumpton was found guilty by a federal jury on October 25, 2023, and was sentenced to 240 months for interference with commerce by attempted robbery and 120 months for false statement during the purchase of a firearm, totaling 360 months in prison. He will also serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment. Notably, Crumpton will not be eligible for parole. Additionally, he is facing state charges for murder and other offenses in Georgia.
U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary stated, “Ahkil Crumpton’s violent crime ended Elijah Wood’s young life and has been the cause of immeasurable pain to many people in the Oconee County community and beyond.”
The FBI and ATF, along with local and state agencies, played pivotal roles in the investigation. Robert Gibbs, Senior Supervisory Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Athens office, emphasized, “This sentencing reflects the commitment of the FBI to working with our law enforcement partners to hold violent offenders accountable to the greatest extent the law allows.”
ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka highlighted the significance of NIBIN technology in linking the criminal use of firearms to the perpetrators, stating, “In this case, NIBIN allowed investigators to successfully connect both shootings to the defendant.”
The court proceedings revealed that Crumpton entered a RaceTrac gas station and convenience store in Watkinsville, Georgia, on March 19, 2021, where he shot and killed Elijah Wood, the store clerk, during an attempted robbery. Surveillance footage captured the incident, showing Crumpton fleeing the scene without taking any money or merchandise.
Months later, in July 2021, Crumpton was involved in another fatal shooting in Philadelphia, where he was later apprehended by law enforcement. Ballistics testing confirmed that the firearm used in both incidents was the same.
Crumpton, a former University of Georgia football team member, resided in close proximity to the crime scene in Georgia. His roommate, Juwan Taylor, testified at trial, revealing Crumpton’s confession and subsequent actions after the shooting.
Co-defendant James North Armstrong, who purchased the firearm for Crumpton, also testified during the trial and faces sentencing on March 20.
The investigation and prosecution of this case involved collaboration among various law enforcement agencies, demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated efforts in addressing violent crime.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies, including the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, FBI, GBI, Athens-Clarke County Police Department, and Philadelphia Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
