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A federal jury convicted a Johnston County man on Monday, February 7, 2022 on two counts of aiding and abetting robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm during those robberies, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on December 20, 2017, defendant James “Silky” Hall rode with girlfriend Teresa McDougald and friend Frenchie Hooks to the Short Stop in Selma, North Carolina. At approximately 9:10 p.m. that night, Hall and McDougald went into the store to scope it out, according to the release. McDougald bought a few small items and they left.

“After leaving, they told Hooks that now is a good time for the robbery,” stated the release. “Frenchie, wearing a gray and black hooded sweatshirt, a mask, and latex gloves took the gun provided by Hall and headed into the store. He pointed the gun at the clerk and demanded the money. He got the money out of the cash register and ‘pulled a bunch’ of unsold scratch off lottery tickets.”

According to the release, Hooks fled the store and met back up with Hall and McDougald and the group went to Hall’s father’s apartment and Hall divvyed up the loot. Hall and McDougald then went to three different stores and cashed the winning scratch-offs.

“On January 15, 2018, the trio decided to rob Sweet Dreams in Wilson, NC. McDougald again drove Hall and Hooks to the robbery,” stated the release. “Hooks, wearing a brown jacket, a mask, and latex gloves, went inside. He pulled out the gun provided by Hall, pointed it at the clerk, and demanded money from the cash register. After taking the money, the trio fled. Hall again divided the money.”

The jury found Hall guilty of all four counts as well as an enhancement for brandishing the firearm. He faces a mandatory 14 year prison term with the possibility of up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, according to the release.

Sentencing is scheduled for the May 9 term of court.

Michael Easley, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle accepted the verdict. The case was investigated by the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and the Selma Police Department with support from the Benson Police Department and Johnston County Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad DeVoe is prosecuting the case.

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