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Cedrick Hodges, 41, received his life sentence in Trenton federal court, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release on Wednesday, Nov. 20. He was found guilty on five counts after a seven-day trial on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Sellinger said Hodges "terrorized" Hamilton Township on the night of Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017.
"The sentence handed down today will ensure that this violent offender will never again be in a position to harm the people of New Jersey or anywhere else," said Sellinger.
According to court documents and evidence, Hodges entered the backseat of a Toyota Camry, pointed a loaded sawed-off shotgun at the woman driving, and ordered her to drive. Hodges fired the shotgun at her as she ran away from her car.
Moments later, Hodges targeted a Honda Accord with a driver and passenger inside. After demanding they exit the vehicle and being refused, Hodges shot through the driver’s window, striking the driver in the torso and causing severe, permanent injuries.
Minutes after that, Hodges approached a man entering his Nissan Rogue. When the man refused to hand over his keys, Hodges fired the shotgun, again causing permanent and serious injuries.
Police arrested Hodges shortly after the incidents, and the case became a federal matter due to the violent nature of the crimes.
"Our office, together with our federal and local law enforcement partners, will spare no effort prosecuting violent offenders like Hodges," Sellinger said.
According to state court records, Hodges pleaded guilty in 2004 to robbery and aggravated sexual assault charges related to another crime spree in 2000 that he went on when he was 17. He was sentenced to 20 years in state prison.
Hodges was granted parole in September 2017, NJ Advance Media reported.
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