A Waynesboro resident has been sentenced to federal prison for a series of commercial armed robberies across several counties in Georgia. Cordell Cobb, 24, received a 318-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to ten counts of Interference With Commerce by Robbery and two counts of Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, Tara M. Lyons, stated that Cobb will also serve five years of supervised release following his prison term and must pay $12,081 in restitution to the affected businesses. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents and testimony, between January 2023 and June 2023, Cobb entered multiple commercial establishments throughout the Southern District of Georgia with weapons and demanded money from employees at each location. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with other local law enforcement agencies including the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and various county sheriff's offices, conducted an investigation leading to Cobb's arrest.
“This sentencing reflects the serious consequences of violent crime and the strength of coordinated law enforcement,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. He emphasized that communities are safer due to the efforts made by local, state, and federal partner agencies.
Thomas Crawford, ATF Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge, commended the collaborative efforts involved in this investigation: "Together we have sent a strong message that armed robbery will not be tolerated."
The case is part of Operation Take Back America under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration among all levels of law enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson and Henry W. Syms Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
