BENTON — On June 16, 2015, Stanley L. Cohen, 32, of Carbondale, was charged in a two-count indictment with Interference with Commerce by Robbery, in violation of the Hobbs Act, and Using, Carrying, and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

The charges stem from a May 16, 2014, armed robbery of the Shell Gas Station in DuQuoin, Perry County. Cohen is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court in Benton on June 30, 2015.

If convicted of the Hobbs Act violation, Cohen faces a term in federal prison of up to 20 years to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release.

The firearm offense carries a minimum penalty of 7 years, to a maximum of life in prison, to be followed by 5 years’ supervised release. Federal law requires that any term of imprisonment imposed on the firearm offense must be served consecutive, or in addition to, any term imposed on the Hobbs Act charge. Both offenses also carry a fine of up to $250,000.

The investigation was conducted by the DuQuoin Police Department, Perry County Sheriff’s Department, and Carbondale Police Department.

The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.