A Waynesboro resident has been sentenced to over 26 years in federal prison for a series of armed robberies across multiple counties in Georgia. Cordell Cobb, aged 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. The sentencing was announced by Tara M. Lyons, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall also mandated that Cobb serve five years of supervised release following his prison term and pay $12,081 in restitution to the affected businesses. In the federal system, parole is not an option.
According to court documents and testimony, from January through June 2023, Cobb conducted ten armed robberies at commercial establishments throughout the Southern District of Georgia. He brandished weapons and demanded money from employees who complied out of fear for their safety. An investigation led by multiple law enforcement agencies resulted in Cobb's arrest and subsequent confession to all ten robberies.
“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, added: "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, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible are held accountable."
The case falls under Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators. This operation utilizes resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
The investigation was conducted by several agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Chatham County Police Department (CCPD), Glascock County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Waycross Police Department (WPD), Burke County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO). The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson and Henry W. Syms Jr.