A Mercer County man was sentenced today to 125 months in prison for nine robberies and two attempted robberies of businesses in Trenton, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
According to federal officials, Derrick T. Beckett, Jr., 23, of Trenton, previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From July 20, 2017, to February 28, 2018, Beckett committed nine robberies and two attempted robberies of businesses in Trenton.
Beckett approached employees of the businesses, brandishing what appeared to be a firearm, but was later determined to be a BB gun, and demanded money.
On multiple occasions Beckett threatened and engaged in violence, both threatening to shoot some victims, and pistol-whipping others when they failed to comply.
Beckett stole cash and fled the victim businesses on foot, where he was sometimes met and assisted by a getaway driver.
In addition to the prison term, Beckett was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered restitution of $9,100.