PHILADELPHIA – Just 23 years old, he’s had no convictions after dozens of prior city arrests.
Now, John Gassew – an alleged career criminal who has beat the rap – will stay behind bars until his federal trial on this, his 45th arrest.
He’s being held on charges stemming from a convenience store robbery.
Gassew was the focus of recent newspaper reports on acquittals in the city court system.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ed Zittlau said federal prosecutors swooped in last month to build a federal case against him. They now have until Feb. 8 to issue an indictment.
Public defender Ross Thompson did not immediately return a call for comment on Wednesday’s detention hearing. (via myfoxphilly.com
