Chicago City Wire

A Rockford man has been sentenced to over eleven years in federal prison for his involvement in two robberies that took place in Rockford. Thomas L. Hawkins, 38, had earlier this year pleaded guilty to the charges of robbing a Red Roof Inn and a Mobil gas station, both located in Rockford.

According to a plea agreement, Hawkins admitted that on September 26, 2020, he was armed with a weapon resembling a firearm when he confronted an employee at the Red Roof Inn. During the incident, a co-conspirator forced the employee to move to a rear counter while Hawkins and his accomplice stole approximately $1,600 before fleeing.

In another robbery on October 20, 2020, Hawkins and his co-conspirator targeted a Mobil gas station. Armed with a firearm, Hawkins pointed it at an employee as the co-conspirator pushed the employee into a rear area of the store. The duo managed to steal about $1,100 before making their escape.

U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston handed down the sentence of eleven years and three months in federal prison on Friday.

The announcement of the sentencing was made by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, alongside Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' Chicago Field Office. The investigation received assistance from the Rockford Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Kim.