Guilty Plea: Man, Kareem Welton Admits Third-Degree Murder in Chef's Death During Drug-Fueled Rampage

 

A man has entered a guilty plea for third-degree murder in connection with the death of a Philadelphia steakhouse chef, in what authorities describe as an intentional act during a drug-fueled hit-and-run spree that caused harm and damage across two counties.

Kareem Welton, aged 43, also entered a guilty plea on Friday in Montgomery County Court for attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and robbery of a motor vehicle. This violent episode unfolded in a pre-dawn joyride in 2021, commencing in Philadelphia's Center City and spanning 30 miles into Montgomery County. In exchange for this plea, prosecutors dropped the first-degree murder charge, but there was no agreement regarding sentencing.

According to authorities, Welton initially stole a running car in July 2021, then proceeded to a family friend's home to steal a 5-year-old poodle. During this spree, he hit two people on a motorcycle and fatally struck 31-year-old Adriana Moreno-Sanchez while she was walking home from her restaurant shift. 

In an affidavit of probable cause, it was alleged that Welton's car jumped the curb to hit Moreno-Sanchez, executed a U-turn, and struck her a second time. At that point, Welton briefly stopped to steal a jacket from the injured victim, who later passed away at a hospital.

After this horrific incident, Welton continued to drive, striking more vehicles and individuals, before abandoning the stolen car. He then made an unsuccessful attempt to forcibly remove another woman from her vehicle. However, he eventually succeeded in stealing another car a few blocks away, leaving the city, and hitting a bicyclist on the way. 

The police finally spotted him in Collegeville, and during the subsequent pursuit, authorities claim he deliberately swerved into oncoming traffic, critically injuring a jogger. Welton was arrested after he pulled into a Trappe gas station and attempted to take a bicycle from a man standing nearby.

Toxicology screening later revealed that Welton had marijuana and PCP, a potent hallucinogenic substance, in his system at the time of the attacks.

Both the third-degree murder and attempted murder charges carry potential sentences of 20 to 40 years in prison. Assistant District Attorney Roderick McCord Fancher III stated that he would seek a substantial prison term, including consecutive sentences, one that "accounts for each and every victim of this rampage." 

He emphasized the profound impact on innocent people who were affected by Welton's actions, turning their worst fears of random violence into a harsh reality. Notably, Montgomery County authorities prosecuted all charges, including the fatal hit-and-run that took place in Philadelphia.

Efforts to obtain a comment from the assistant public defender representing Welton on Saturday were unsuccessful.

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