Ex-lawyer on the lam is shot and killed by Florida deputies
James Benny Hobbs/Courtesy U.S. Marshals Service
A former New Hampshire lawyer once accused of stealing more than $1 million from clients has been shot and killed by deputies after fleeing to Florida following a new charge.
James Benny Hobbs, 59, died Tuesday evening at a Howard Johnson motel in St. Augustine, Florida, after he disobeyed commands to show his hands and made several sudden moves, report the Florida Times-Union, the Orlando Sentinel and Action News Jax. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s office issued a statement on Facebook.
Hobbs was on parole when he was charged with aggravated sexual assault on a child under age 15. He fled after an arrest warrant was issued on Jan. 17. A U.S. Marshals Service wanted notice said Hobbs used the alias “The Whip” and was last known to be driving a 2006 white Mercedes-Benz.
Hobbs was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison after admitting in 2006 that he stole more than $1 million from clients, the Nashua [New Hampshire] Telegraph previously reported. A little more than half of the money was from the estate of a deceased attorney who wanted the cash to pay for the care of his disabled daughter.
Removes extra word in second paragraph at 1:55 p.m.; Corrects name of alias in third paragraph and adds photo of Hobbs at 3:42 p.m.
