A New Orleans man, Jeremiah Mills, age 28, finds himself at the center of federal charges following two incidents at a local gas station last July. According to an indictment announced by Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson, Mills is facing allegations of committing an armed Hobbs Act robbery, discharging a firearm during the crime, an attempted second Hobbs Act robbery, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
On July 17, in the heart of New Orleans, the 2700 block of S. Claiborne Avenue witnessed a dangerous precedent set, as Mills is accused of wielding and firing a weapon amidst the robbery ordeal. Acting without apprehension, just three days later, he attempted to strike the same gas station once again. The indictment, which does not serve as a final judgment of guilt, exposes Mills to serious consequences; the Hobbs Act Robberies alone could saddle him with up to 20 years in prison accompanied by substantial fines and supervised release.
In a statement obtained by the Justice Department, Mills’ alleged actions on Count 1 could end him up in prison for 20 years along with a $250,000 fine and 3 years of supervised release. More dire still, for Count 2, he is staring down the barrel of a mandatory minimum of 10 years, which could extend to a life sentence, plus a potential fine of the same amount, and a minimum of 5 years of supervised release. Charges for the attempt on July 20th churn potential penalties mirroring the first count’s stakes, while possession of a firearm as a felon tacks on up to 15 years behind bars. Each count also carries an obligatory $100 special assessment fee…