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A Jacksonville resident, Eugene Campbell IV, aged 35, is facing significant legal repercussions after admitting guilt to two armed robberies targeting local pizza restaurants. According to the Department of Justice, Campbell could be sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in federal prison, with the possibility of serving up to two life terms plus an additional 20 years.
The charges Campbell pleaded guilty to include ‘Hobbs Act robbery’ and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. These charges stem from the violent incidents at the two Jacksonville eateries, as confirmed by the DOJ in an announcement made on Wednesday.
The harrowing events unfolded on August 4, 2025. Campbell reportedly stormed into a Jacksonville pizza restaurant wielding a “sawed-off rifle.” He fired into the ceiling, creating an atmosphere of fear and chaos, while demanding money from the staff at gunpoint. This particular robbery occurred at the Little Caesars located on 11101 Old St. Augustine Rd., where Campbell managed to obtain approximately $500 before making his escape, according to his arrest report.
With the severity of the charges and the violent nature of the crimes, Campbell’s sentencing date, which remains undetermined, will be closely watched. The potential length of his sentence reflects the serious nature of his actions and the impact on the community.
On Aug. 4, 2025, the DOJ said Campbell entered a pizza restaurant in Jacksonville with a “sawed-off rifle” and shot it into the celling, demanding money from employees at gunpoint. According to his arrest report, the incident took place at the Little Caesars located at 11101 Old St. Augustine Rd. The DOJ said Campbell robbed the store of approximately $500 and fled the area.
The next day, according to the DOJ, Campbell entered another pizza restaurant in Jacksonville and shot his gun into the wall, demanding money from the employees at gunpoint. His arrest report states the incident happened at the Papa Johns located at 5230 Baymeadows Rd. Campbell reportedly robbed the restaurant of approximately $700.
The DOJ said law enforcement conducted ballistics analyses of the shell casings recovered at both scenes, which showed that the rounds had been fired from the same gun that had also been used during another incident in St. Johns County.
Investigators connected the robberies to Campbell by interviewing Campbell’s associates and reviewing surveillance footage obtained from the victims and neighboring businesses, the DOJ said. Officers from Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office then arrested him on Aug. 6, 2025.
The DOJ said Campbell admitted to the robberies upon his arrest.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, according to the DOJ.
