Meatball AKA Dayjia Blackwell sentenced to 5 years probation over livestreaming Philly looting spree

Social media influencer Dayjia Blackwell, aka Meatball, received a sentence of five years probation on June 20 in Philadelphia following her involvement in a city-wide looting incident in September 2023. She was arrested back for livestreaming a night of looting across multiple business outlets in seven locations in Philly.

On Thursday (June 20), Blackwell entered a plea deal to avoid jail time. Instead, she was subjected to five years of probation, 150 hours of mandatory community service, and a fine of $10,000.

Blackwell was arrested in connection with the looting of various establishments, including a state liquor store, a Lululemon outlet, and a Center City Apple Store, on September 26, 2023. Reports suggest she played a crucial role in organizing the loot and reportedly used her social media to influence participation in the ransacking.

The looters stole iPhones and iPads from multiple stores across the city, triggering anti-theft alarms. Blackwell was live streaming the entire looting and shared videos and images of the incident on her Instagram while supporting the same.

At the time of the incident, Meatball had around 650,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok, as per the New York Post. She currently has almost a million followers after her arrest. The influencer is also the CEO of accessories and clothing brand A'int Muffin, as per her Instagram handle.

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What are the charges faced by Meatball aka Dayjia Blackwell?

Meatball was charged with six criminal offenses at the time of arrest, including criminal mischief, criminal trespassing, conspiracy, burglary, riot with the intent to commit a felony, and criminal use of a communication facility. Following legal proceedings, the influencer pleaded guilty to two of these charges: riot with the intent to commit a felony and criminal use of a communication facility.

According to an official statement from the Philadelphia District Attorney's office, Meatball was charged for her alleged role in the theft, looting, and ransacking of multiple businesses in seven different locations across Philadelphia on September 26, 2023. The statement read:

"Blackwell is alleged to have used her social media platform to encourage people to engage in criminal activities at those locations, and is alleged to have engaged in criminal activities herself."

The looting was allegedly connected to a protest following the dismissal of charges against Officer Mark Dial, who fatally shot 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry. Although Dial's actions were initially deemed justified by a judge, charges against him were later reinstated in October 2023. The protest escalated into a looting spree, with Blackwell allegedly participating.

In her live stream during the incident, Blackwell was heard encouraging the looting:

"Free iPhones! Free iPhones! This is what happens when we don’t get justice in this city."

According to Fox 29, Blackwell's attorney mentioned the influencer is taking full responsibility for her actions and will aim to use her platform for positivity in the future after being pronounced guilty.

Hours after her court judgment, Blackwell took to Instagram to share that she understands the consequences of her actions and hopes her experience serves as a lesson for other influencers in the future.

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Meatball reportedly turned up in court wearing a necklace that said "Baddie"

On June 20, Blackwell reportedly turned up in court wearing a necklace that said "Baddie." Fox 29 reported an incident between the judge and Blackwell during her trial when the judge asked her what the necklace was.

The influencer replied "Baddie." The judge answered that he would hope she would not come to court wearing such a necklace next time. He jokingly added that her necklace should instead say "Goodie."

In response to the judge's suggestion, Meatball revealed that the necklace was a reference to a reality TV show, Baddies Caribbean, where she appeared in season 5.