Mercer Man Convicted In Violent Carjacking, Injuring 2 Drivers: Feds

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – 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 said.

Cedrick Hodges, 40, of Trenton, was convicted on Oct. 24, 2023, 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.

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 that she operate the car, according to court documents.

The driver exited the vehicle and ran, in response Hodges shot the shotgun toward her as she fled.

Moments later, Hodges approached a Honda Accord occupied by a driver and one passenger. He pointed the shotgun at the driver’s window demanding that the driver and passenger exit the vehicle. When the driver refused and began driving away from Hodges, he discharged the firearm into the driver’s side window, striking the driver in his torso, and causing permanent and serious bodily injury, according to court documents.

Hodges fled the area and several minutes later approached a man who was entering a Nissan Rogue. He demanded that the man hand over the keys to the Nissan Rogue. When the man refused, Hodges brandished the shotgun and discharged the firearm, causing permanent and serious bodily injury, according to court documents.

The count of carjacking carries a maximum potential sentence of 15 years in prison. The counts of attempted carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury each carry a maximum potential sentence of 25 years in prison. The count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence is punishable by a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed on any other charges. The possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.