Men Arrested Last Fall for Violation of Hobbs Act Plead Guilty

Last October, four Columbia, SC men were arrested on federal criminal charges, including violation of the Hobbs Act. In the first week of April, the men pled guilty to the federal charges, which include conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, and other gun and drug charges.

The four men are Jacquan Orlando Jones, 23; Travis Howard, 33; Vernon Davis, 23; and Eddie Wilbert Mobley, 26.

Jones and Mobley were both convicted for using or possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence or drug trafficking, as well as being felons in possession of firearms. David pleaded guilty as well to use or possession of a firearm for furtherance of a violent crime. Jones pled guilty to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Evidence presented at the hearing alleged that Jones, on September 18^th, 2012, sold two handguns, ammunition, and marijuana to a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Informant. During the transaction, Jones, a convicted felon, also talked about plans to commit armed robbery.

ATF agents arrested the other three suspects on October 30^th, while they were on their way to the robbery. Agents found two shotguns, a .40-caliber handgun, and pepper spray inside their vehicle.

All three men had prior state convictions, which prohibits them from owning or possessing firearms.

Jones and Davis are also known members of the Bloods, a street gang.

The four men will be sentenced at a later date, but the federal criminal charge to commit Hobbs Act robbery itself carries a very stiff penalty – at least 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, for each of them. The other charges carry serious penalties as well.

United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, of Columbia, accepted the guilty pleas and will decide their sentences after reviewing the presentence reports.

The case was investigated as part of a joint initiative called Project CeaseFire, which involves the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, as well as federal, state, and local police.

Federal Crime and the Hobbs Act

The Hobbs Act is “a U.S. federal law enacted in 1946 that prohibits actual, attempted, or contemplated robbery or extortion affecting interstate or foreign commerce.” The law criminalizes both robbery and extortion, which otherwise are more traditionally defined as taking someone else’s property without consent, and the wrongful use of force or threat to obtain a property right, respectively.

While the literal language of the Act makes it a crime to obstruct, delay, or affect commerce by robbery or extortion, the Act is interpreted as an extortion statute, due in part to a string of caselaw dealing with prosecutions under the act for bribery.

Some Courts have held that to be guilty of a Hobbs Act violation, the public official does not have to actually have the power to perform the requested act  if it is reasonable to believe that the public official had the power to perform the requested act.

Defending Against Hobbs Act and Federal Criminal Charges in South Carolina

If you face federal criminal charges, including violation of the Hobbs Act, you may feel as though you have no rights and will be seen automatically as guilty. The Strom Law Firm, which was founded by a former US Attorney for the District of South Carolina Pete Strom, has operated throughout South Carolina since 1996. We have an in-depth understanding of the complexities of state and federal law, including the Hobbs Law, and we take federal criminal charges and defense seriously. We also offer free, confidential consultations, so do not hesitate to contact us. 803.252.4800.