Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Moss Point Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison Under Project EJECT for Armed Robbery of a Business
Gulfport, Miss. – Antwone Malik Coleman Booker, 19, of Moss Point, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 108 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for armed robbery of a business and using a firearm during a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Booker was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,285 to victims and a $1500 fine.
On August 15, 2019, Antwone Malik Coleman Booker entered a Waffle House restaurant in Moss Point and pointed a black handgun at the cashier and demanded money. While the waitress was opening the cash register, Booker shot one round of ammunition from the firearm into the ceiling of the restaurant. After the waitress handed the money to Booker, he shot one additional round into the ceiling. Booker then fled the restaurant, but was arrested shortly thereafter.
Booker was indicted on September 10, 2019 and he pled guilty before Judge Ozerden on February 19, 2020.
The case was investigated by The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as the Moss Point, Ellisville, and Pascagoula Police Departments. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian. EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
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