A DeKalb County man has been sentenced to 39 years in federal prison for robbing three Waffle House restaurants and a motel in 2016, officials said.
Joseph Orlando Hood, 32, of Scottdale, committed armed robberies at Waffle Houses in Chamblee, Lithonia and Tucker, along with the United Inn and Suites in Decatur and the Raymok Bar and Grill in Scottdale, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak’s office.
A jury in federal court found Hood guilty of the robbery and gun charges in February. His sentencing was delayed several times, according to court records.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Steve Jones sentenced Hood to serve five years of probation after his 39 years in prison, Pak’s office said.
» READ MORE: Serial Waffle House robber from DeKalb convicted in federal court
Hood robbed the businesses between Nov. 12 and Nov. 17, 2016, officials said. During one of the Waffle House robberies, he shot at a customer who was trying to escape, Pak’s office said. He also pistol-whipped the manager of the Decatur motel.
Hood was caught after robbing Raymok, authorities said. The manager of the bar shot him in the leg, and he was later found by officers in a nearby apartment complex.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the DeKalb County Police Department and the Chamblee Police Department helped investigate the case.
“Hood threatened the lives of multiple citizens and law enforcement officers during his crime spree,” Pak said. “He demonstrated a complete lack of concern for the victims in this case and justly deserved this lengthy prison sentence.”
Federal authorities called Hood a “career offender.” Hood had been previously convicted of felony aggravated battery and burglary charges in 2008 and 2010, according to his indictment.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the DeKalb County Police Department and the Chamblee Police Department helped investigate the case.
Follow DeKalb County News on Facebook and Twitter
In other news:
