Three Sacramento Men Convicted in Cross-State Kidnapping and Robbery of Businessman

A federal jury has convicted three Sacramento men for their roles in the 2023 kidnapping and robbery of a Lancaster businessman. Jerome Franklin Jr., Andrae Hawkins, and De’Andre Lamont King were found guilty of kidnapping, restraining, and threatening the victim. The crime spree started at the victim’s workplace, where he was targeted, and escalated to a home invasion where the men demanded money and gold jewelry. The victim was eventually abandoned but was rescued, bringing an end to the terrifying ordeal.

The consequences are severe for the three convicted men. They now face the possibility of life in prison, with their sentencing scheduled for November. In a twist that highlights the different paths defendants can take, two co-defendants, Shanjeet Brar and Peter Arafiles Jr., chose to plead guilty. Arafiles is already serving a 10-year sentence. This case, prosecuted at the federal level, shows how far-reaching criminal activity can be when suspects travel across the state to commit violent acts.

For residents in Sacramento, this story serves as a stark reminder that crime doesn’t have borders. The men were local, but their alleged actions impacted a community hours away. As the legal process wraps up for the remaining defendants, the victim can begin to move forward. What do you think about the difference in outcomes between those who went to trial and those who took plea deals? Is justice served in both scenarios?