Fort Pierce Armed Robbers Sentenced to Federal Prison
MIAMI — On Jan. 12, two Fort Pierce armed robbers were sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
Eugene Jacques, 21, was sentenced to 121 months of prison, and Roderick Anthony Baker, 23, was sentenced to 87 months of prison. U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg also ordered that each of the sentences be followed by three years of supervised release.
On April 24, 2023, around 5:54 a.m., the Fort Pierce Police Department (FPPD) received a 911 call to report an armed robbery at a gas station and food mart on Orange Avenue in Fort Pierce. Law enforcement officers responded to the scene and interviewed the victim of the robbery. The victim advised that Jacques and Baker entered the gas station and food mart and looked around as if they were shopping. Jacques approached her and asked for Advil pills and then waived a small purple and black handgun. Jacques pushed his way into the glass enclosure while Baker followed him. Jacques pointed the handgun at the victim’s face, struck her in the head and said “Give me the money.” After forcing the victim to open the cash register, Jacques and Baker took about $2,000 and placed the money in a plastic bag they had brought with them. Jacques and Baker also stole a small box containing about $2,200 and fled.
Law enforcement officers arrested Baker and Jacques on May 1, and May 4, 2023, respectively.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge, Christopher A. Robinson, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division; and FPPD Chief Diane Hobley-Burney, announced the sentences imposed by Judge Rosenberg.
ATF Fort Pierce Field Office and FPPD investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Porter prosecuted it.
This case stems from Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the community, to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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