Tampa, Florida – In a brazen scheme that left victims shaken and families traumatized, a group of men impersonated law enforcement officers to commit armed robberies and home invasions across multiple counties in Florida and neighboring states.
At the center of the conspiracy was Darius Hudson, 44, of Arcadia, who was sentenced to 39 years and 2 months in federal prison for his role in the crimes. Hudson, also known as ‘Toot,’ was found guilty on January 22, 2024, of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, three separate Hobbs Act robberies, and brandishing and discharging a firearm during the commission of those robberies.
But Hudson is not the only one to face justice for the heinous crimes. Eight co-conspirators, including Reginald Roberts, Jr., Nathaniel Keith Carr, Daniel Jackson, Chrishawn Butler, Jeremy Bernard Hazelton, O’Marie Danyell Hudson, Jasmine Weber, and Elyana Bazail, were also sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy.
The group, which operated between December 2020 and April 2021, targeted victims in Pasco, Polk, Lee, and Hillsborough counties, as well as Georgia and Arizona. They wore black clothing, gloves, and masks, often with law enforcement insignia, or vests with ‘Sheriff’ affixed, to impersonate law enforcement officers. During the robberies, victims and their family members were awoken in the middle of the night, beaten, pistol whipped, threatened, and, on several occasions, shot.
Darius Hudson was identified as the individual who brought a white backpack to his robberies, which he used to store zip ties that he would later use on his victims.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from multiple local law enforcement agencies, including the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Bartow Police Department, and the Lakeland Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence in communities.
The following sentences were imposed on each defendant:
Reginald Roberts, Jr. (24, Lakeland), also known as ‘Rudy,’ was sentenced to 41 years.
Darius Hudson (44, Arcadia), also known as ‘Toot,’ was sentenced to 39 years and 2 months.
Nathaniel Keith Carr (24, Avon Park), also known as ‘Nate,’ was sentenced to 26 years and 6 months.
Daniel Jackson (31, Winter Haven), also known as ‘D-Jack,’ was sentenced to 22 years and 11 months.
Chrishawn Butler (24, Bartow), also known as ‘Baby,’ was sentenced to 20 years and 6 months.
Jeremy Bernard Hazelton (28, Bartow), also known as ‘Presto,’ was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months.
O’Marie Danyell Hudson (26, Orlando), also known as ‘Mari,’ was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months.
Jasmine Weber (30, Deltona) was sentenced to 5 years.
Elyana Bazail (25, Lakeland), also known as ‘Cuban,’ was sentenced to 5 years.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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