Hooks Gets 14½ Years, Thomas 12 in Montgomery Dry-Cleaner Robbery Sentencing

Federal Hobbs Act prosecution followed a violent March break-in at the shop.

Overview

On Jan. 13, a federal judge sentenced Spirit Hooks, 51, to 175 months and Spencer Thomas, 68, to 144 months in prison, with no parole in the federal system.
Hooks, Thomas, and ringleader Zedekiah Sykes pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and were ordered to pay $17,624.49 in restitution.
Sykes was previously sentenced in October 2025 to more than 16 years in federal prison for organizing the robbery.
Court records detail that the assailants shattered the front door, brandished a BB gun, struck owner Jim Massey, zip-tied him, stole about $8,000, and fled in his vehicle later recovered nearby.
Alleged co-defendant Clinton Thompson faces pending robbery and carjacking charges, with a trial scheduled for May 11, 2026.