A Waynesboro resident has been sentenced to federal prison for a series of armed robberies across multiple counties in Georgia. Cordell Cobb, 24, received a sentence of 318 months after pleading guilty to ten counts of interference with commerce by robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. This was announced by Tara M. Lyons, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall ordered Cobb to serve five years of supervised release following his prison term and mandated him to pay $12,081 in restitution to the businesses affected by his actions. The federal system does not allow parole.
According to court documents and testimony, from January 2023 through June 2023, Cobb entered commercial establishments throughout the Southern District of Georgia, wielding weapons and demanding money. Employees complied by handing over currency to avoid harm, allowing Cobb to escape with the proceeds. His apprehension followed an investigation involving several law enforcement agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), and local police departments.
“This sentencing reflects the serious consequences of violent crime and the strength of coordinated law enforcement,” stated GBI Director Chris Hosey. “Communities across Georgia are safer today because of the tireless work of our local, state, and federal partner agencies in bringing this armed robber to justice.”
Thomas Crawford, ATF Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge, commended the joint efforts: “We applaud the collaborative efforts of all law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation. Together, we have sent a strong message that armed robbery will not be tolerated.”
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators. It also falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program designed to reduce violent crime through collaboration among various levels of law enforcement.
The investigation was conducted by several agencies including ATF, GBI, CCPD, GCSO, JCSO, WPD, BCSO, ECSO and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson and Henry W. Syms Jr.
