Mercer Man Gets Life In Prison For Violent Carjacking Spree

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A Trenton man was sentenced to life in prison for committing a spate of armed carjackings that left two people seriously injured, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.

Cedrick Hodges, 41, of Trenton, 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.

He was sentenced on Wednesday following a seven-day trial before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi.

“On an evening in December 2017, Cedrick Hodges terrorized the people of Hamilton Township in a series of horrific and violent carjackings during which he shot two of his victims with a sawed-off shotgun at point blank range, inflicting on these victims permanent and life-altering injuries,” Sellinger said.

According to court documents, on the evening of Dec. 16, 2017, Hodges entered the rear passenger seat of a Toyota Camry and pointed a loaded sawed-off shotgun at the driver, demanding she drive with him in the back seat. The driver exited the vehicle and ran, in response to which Hodges shot at her.

Moments later, Hodges approached a Honda Accord occupied by a driver and one passenger. Hodges pointed the shotgun at the driver’s window demanding that the driver and passenger exit the vehicle, according to court documents.

When the driver refused, Hodges fired into the driver’s side window, striking the driver in his torso, and causing permanent and serious bodily injury.

Hodges fled the area and, several minutes later, approached a man who was entering a Nissan Rogue. Hodges demanded that the man hand him the keys to the vehicle. When the man refused, Hodges brandished the shotgun and fired, causing permanent and serious bodily injury, Sellinger said.

Hodges was paroled months before he went on the carjacking spree.

“Our office, together with our federal and local law enforcement partners, will spare no effort prosecuting violent offenders like Hodges,” Sellinger said.

“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.”

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