Denzel Demoree’a Prince, a 28-year-old from Jacksonville, pleaded guilty on Mar. 19 to charges of Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence related to the robbery of a Jacksonville hotel. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
Prince faces a minimum sentence of seven years and up to life plus twenty years in federal prison. His sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
According to court documents, the incident took place on September 8, 2025. Prince initially approached a vending machine near the hotel’s pool before requesting money back from an employee at the front desk window. After being told he would need to return in the morning, Prince reappeared at the back window wearing a green camouflage-style mask pulled up over his nose and holding a firearm.
Surveillance footage showed Prince pointing the gun at the employee before throwing a brick through the window and climbing inside. He then went behind the front desk counter, opened several drawers, located cash in the register, and fled through the rear door.
During their investigation, officers identified Prince as the suspect and obtained a search warrant for his residence. There they found clothing matching what was worn during the robbery: white pants, white shoes, green shorts, and a camouflage bandana.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams is prosecuting.
