GREENSBORO, N.C. — WCNC Charlotte has chosen to use this mugshot because of the nature of the crime and because the defendant has pleaded guilty.
A North Carolina man who admitted to threatening a Charlotte Jewish group has learned what his punishment will be.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced 64-year-old Jeffrey Scott Hobgood of Troy pleaded guilty to one count of communicating threats in interstate commerce in Greensboro's federal court. He will now spend 18 months in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Hobgood will also need to do 20 hours of community service weekly for 12 weeks.
Hobgood was charged with three counts of communicating threats. He was able to plead down to one.
As previously reported by WCNC Charlotte, court documents said Hobgood sent an email to the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte in October 2023 which included a death threat. After law enforcement contacted him, Hobgood sent a second email that demanded a "public execution" for the federation.
The federation sent an email to its members about what was going on.
Hobgood admitted in his plea agreement he sent the emails to the federation because of the member's actual or perceived religion.
Although Hobgood admitted to targeting the group for being Jewish, court documents in the case do not mention any hate crime statutes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina told WCNC Charlotte it couldn't share why.
Legal expert Gary Mauney, who is not involved in the case, predicts Hobgood’s plea deal likely required him to admit to the antisemitic death threats in exchange for a lesser sentence.
"The government allowed the defendant to plead guilty to a crime, that's one step down, or several steps down, let's say, from the hate crime," Mauney predicted.
Mauney added it’s common for cases to end in a plea deal instead of going to trial.
"If they took every case to trial, we would be backed up with trials for decades. So, they have to make deals with criminal defendants where they think the deal is appropriate," said Mauney.
A spokesperson for the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte told WCNC Charlotte they’re extremely grateful for law enforcement and their quick response to the threats.
"It is abhorrent to threaten someone with violence because of who they are or how they worship. The FBI worked tirelessly with prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District Of North Carolina to ensure Jeffrey Hobgood could not offer excuses for his hate-filled messages and would instead, serve time in federal prison," said Robert M. DeWitt, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in Charlotte.
The FBI investigated the case along with the Troy Police Department and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.