By: Najla Alexander
NJ AG officials reported that a Mercer County man was convicted of carjacking, brandishing a firearm during the carjacking, two attempted carjackings resulting in serious bodily injury, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced that Cedrick Hodges, 40, of Trenton, was convicted on October 24 of all five counts of a second superseding indictment following a seven-day trial before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Authorities say on the evening of December 16, 2017, Hodges entered the rear passenger seat of a Toyota Camry and pointed a loaded sawed-off shotgun at the driver, demanding that she operate the vehicle while Hodges entered the back seat.
The driver exited the vehicle and ran, in response to which Hodges discharged the shotgun toward her as she fled, officials stated.
Moments later, officials said, Hodges approached a Honda Accord occupied by a driver and one passenger.
According to officials, Hodges pointed the shotgun at the driver’s window, demanding that the driver and passenger exit the vehicle.
When the driver refused and instead began to drive the vehicle away from Hodges, officials say Hodges discharged the firearm into the driver’s side window, striking the driver in his torso and causing permanent and serious bodily injury.
Officials said Hodges fled the area and, several minutes later, approached a man who was entering a Nissan Rogue. Hodges demanded that the man hand Hodges the keys to the Nissan Rogue.
When the man refused, authorities say, Hodges brandished the shotgun and discharged the firearm at the man, causing permanent and serious bodily injury.
Sentencing has not yet been scheduled, officials stated.
