Michael Hughes, Armed Robbery, Pennsylvania 2016

PHILADELPHIA - In a brazen display of violence, Michael Hughes, 31, of Philadelphia, PA, was convicted of two counts of robbery which interferes with interstate commerce, and two counts of using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

The crimes stem from two armed robbery and shooting incidents in August 2016. Hughes and his co-defendant, Nashadeem Henderson, targeted a marijuana dealer in the area of 2600 Allegheny Avenue in Philadelphia and a pizza deliveryman employed by Mimmo’s Pizza in the area of 3000 North Taney Street in Philadelphia.

“The defendants in this case had no regard for the lives of their victims – shooting at them indiscriminately, which could have easily killed them,” said U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain. “Philadelphia is in the midst of a public safety crisis, with alarming rates of homicides and shootings. This crisis will not be solved by pretending that it does not exist or by coddling violent criminals. It will be solved through accountability for violent acts, and my Office is doing everything it can to investigate and aggressively prosecute violent crimes like those here.”

“Two armed robberies and two victims shot, in just five days,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “And had Hughes and his accomplice not been stopped, it’s no stretch to imagine what further mayhem they might’ve caused. It’s incredibly fortunate no one was killed by these two, so willing to use violence as a means to their criminal end. The FBI Violent Crimes Task Force will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who consider armed robbery a reasonable way to make themselves some money.”

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda Reinitz and Roberta Benjamin.

In November 2017, Hughes and Henderson were charged in a five-count Indictment. Henderson pleaded guilty prior to the trial.

The exact sentencing date has not been announced yet.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/philadelphia-armed-robber-found-guilty-trial-two-robberies-shootings