New Orleans Man Sentenced for Hobbs Act Robberies
NEW ORLEANS, LA – A New Orleans man has been sentenced to 408 months in federal prison for his role in a string of Hobbs Act robberies. John Weldon, 26, was found guilty by a jury in December 2019 on all counts related to the crimes.
Weldon was charged with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, one count of armed bank robbery, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The crimes took place at three Shell Gas Stations on General de Gaulle Drive, multiple convenience stores in the West Bank and Seventh Ward, and a bank in Algiers.
Weldon brandished a firearm and wore blue gloves in each of the robberies. He was arrested and charged in August 2019. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn McHugh and Greg Kennedy.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the case. Judge Lance Africk sentenced Weldon to 408 months in the Bureau of Prisons, 60 months of supervised release, and $600 in mandatory special assessment fees.
The investigation and prosecution of the case were a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI. The case is a prime example of the importance of law enforcement working together to bring violent offenders to justice.
Weldon’s sentence is a significant one, and it serves as a reminder of the consequences of committing serious crimes. The community is safer today thanks to the hard work of the investigators and prosecutors who brought this case to a successful conclusion.
Defendant: John Weldon
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, one count of armed bank robbery, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm
City and State: New Orleans, LA
Exact Date: August 2019 (arrest) and December 2019 (conviction)
Sentence: 408 months in the Bureau of Prisons, 60 months of supervised release, and $600 in mandatory special assessment fees
Dollar Amounts: $600
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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