Two Charged in Hobbs Act Robbery Conspiracy

PHILADELPHIA—Calvin Hicks and William Cooper were charged today in a four-count indictment with conspiring to rob and robbing Sunny’s Grill & Beer, located at 2416 Rhawn Street, in Philadelphia, on December 27, 2008, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. According to the indictment, Hicks and Cooper threatened and assaulted the owners of Sunny’s Grill & Beer at gunpoint and robbed them of approximately $7,516 and other things of value in their possession. In addition, Hicks is charged with being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Information Regarding the Defendants

If convicted of the offenses, Hicks faces a total maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, a $1 million fine, five years’ supervised release, and a $400 special assessment; Cooper faces a total maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, a $750,000 fine, five years’ supervised release, and a $300 special assessment.

This case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anita Eve.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal initiative designed to identify and prosecute firearms offenders in federal court, where the defendant is likely to receive a substantial sentence upon conviction.