Oregon Man Sentenced for Hammer Robbery

Joe L. Smallwood-Sain, a 43-year-old Oregon prisoner, has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for robbing an 84-year-old woman with a hammer after escaping from a work crew. On April 10, 2023, Smallwood-Sain fled from custody with the intent to find drugs and later confronted the woman in a Macy’s parking garage, demanding her car keys. A security guard intervened after hearing the woman's screams, successfully blocking Smallwood-Sain's escape and leading to his arrest later that day. He was found guilty of second-degree robbery, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, and pleaded guilty to second-degree escape. Smallwood-Sain, who has a lengthy criminal history with 65 prior arrests, is not eligible for early release. The sentencing reflects a culmination of his criminal activity, including a prior conviction for first-degree theft.