Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Newark Man Sentenced to 110 Months in Prison for Hobbs Act Robbery
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Newark man was sentenced today to 110 months in prison for his role in robbing a barbershop, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig announced.
Philip Hedgespeth, 45, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler to an indictment charging him with one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and one count of possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. Judge Kugler imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On May 1, 2018, Hedgespeth entered the Cache Barbershop located in Newark and brandished a firearm at an employee and customer, demanding cash from them. The customer was an off-duty Newark police officer, who attempted to stop Hedgespeth and prevent the robbery. Hedgespeth escaped and jumped into a waiting vehicle. Newark police engaged in a motor vehicle chase with the suspects, which ended when the suspects’ vehicle became disabled on McCarter Highway. Hedgespeth then attempted to flee the scene on foot but was apprehended after a brief chase.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Kugler sentenced Hedgespeth to five years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited law enforcement officers of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara, and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai, Newark Field Division, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Naazneen Khan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Organized Crimes and Gangs Unit in Newark.