TRENTON, NJ – A Mercer County man with a penchant for violence and a sawed-off shotgun is facing a substantial prison sentence after being convicted of a string of brazen carjackings in December 2017. Cedrick Hodges, 40, of Trenton, was found guilty on all five counts of a second superseding indictment following a week-long trial in federal court.
The evidence presented painted a terrifying picture of Hodges’ actions on the evening of December 16th. He first targeted a Toyota Camry, forcibly demanding the driver operate the vehicle while brandishing the shotgun. When the driver fled, Hodges didn’t hesitate – he fired the weapon in her direction. Minutes later, he turned his attention to a Honda Accord, opening fire on the driver through the window after they refused to surrender their vehicle. The driver sustained permanent and serious bodily injuries.
Hodges’ rampage didn’t end there. He quickly located a man entering a Nissan Rogue and again demanded the keys. When met with resistance, Hodges allegedly discharged the shotgun at the man, inflicting permanent and serious bodily injury. The sheer callousness of the attacks, leaving multiple victims with life-altering wounds, clearly resonated with the jury.
Federal prosecutors detailed the brutal events to U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi, emphasizing the severity of Hodges’ crimes. The carjacking charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 15 years. Each of the two attempted carjackings resulting in serious bodily injury could add another 25 years to his sentence. Adding to the potential lengthy incarceration, Hodges is also facing a mandatory minimum of seven years, and up to life in prison, for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, to be served consecutively. His prior criminal history also brings a potential 10-year sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Hamilton Township Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller of the ATF’s Newark Field Division oversaw the agency’s involvement in the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Suggs and Tracey Agnew are handling the prosecution.
Sentencing for Hodges has not yet been scheduled, but with the combined potential penalties, he is likely facing decades behind bars. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by violent criminals and the commitment of law enforcement to bring them to justice. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing when it is announced.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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