Namir Malik Ali Green, a 23-year-old man from Los Angeles, was arrested in April 2023 for allegedly committing armed robberies at convenience stores and gas stations around Southern California. He's been charged with interference with commerce by robbery under the Hobbs Act.

Green faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison if found guilty. When facing maximum penalties, defendants need to protect themselves by working with attorneys who are highly skilled in that area of defense.

Three-and-a-Half-Week Crime Spree

According to the complaint, Green is suspected of committing 31 robberies or attempted robberies at convenience stores and gas stations, as well as two carjackings in Orange and Los Angeles counties. While conducting the robberies, Green supposedly used a firearm to threaten employees and force them to empty the cash register for him. In total, law enforcement officials suspect he stole at least $15,000 in cash. He was caught and arrested while trying to evade a traffic stop.

The Hobbs Act comes into question when defendants are accused of actual or attempted robbery or extortion that affects interstate or foreign commerce in any way or degree. In this case, Green is accused of violating the Hobbs Act because his alleged actions violated interstate or foreign commerce by obstructing the daily operations of the gas stations, convenience stores, and individual drivers.

How An Experienced Defense Attorney Can Help

The Hobbs Act has a statutory limit to its sentencing structure. Meaning defendants can only be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in federal prison. To ensure a client like Green does not face such a lengthy term, an experienced criminal attorney would need to show that the conduct in question did not interfere with interstate or foreign commerce. For instance, one might argue that although gas is part of interstate and foreign commerce, Green was not interfering with its transportation by robbing convenience stores and gas stations. Working with an attorney is the best way to prevent any negative consequences you might be facing.

Attorney Vitaly Sigal of Sigal Law Group is an experienced defense attorney skilled at creating strategic defenses that guarantee the best possible outcome for his clients. Call 818-325-0570 today for a free consultation.