PHOTO: Courtesy Poplar Bluff Police Department
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — The United States Attorney’s Office announced that Carlos Wallace, age 33, of Poplar Bluff has been sentenced to 228 months in federal prison for the offenses of carjacking, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Wallace appeared for his plea and sentencing hearing Wednesday before United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. at the federal courthouse in Cape Girardeau.
According to court documents, on Dec. 11, 2019, Carlos Wallace committed a carjacking in Poplar Bluff. The victim was stopped at an intersection when Wallace opened the rear door of the vehicle and climbed into the back seat. Wallace ordered the victim to drive and directed him down several city streets and onto a gravel road, where Wallace told the victim to exit the vehicle. The victim initially refused to do so. Wallace then pointed a firearm at the victim and shot him in the leg. After the victim exited the vehicle, Wallace entered the driver seat and drove off in the vehicle.
On Dec. 23, 2019, an officer with the Poplar Bluff Police Department attempted a traffic stop of a vehicle being operated by Carlos Wallace. Wallace refused to stop and accelerated at a high rate of speed. A police pursuit ensued, until ultimately the vehicle became stuck in an alleyway. Wallace was ordered from the car and was taken into custody. As Wallace was being arrested, he volunteered to law enforcement officers that there were two firearms in the vehicle. A search warrant was obtained and Wallace’s vehicle was searched. Two fully-loaded firearms were located.
Wallace has a prior conviction for felony domestic assault and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.
This case was investigated by the Poplar Bluff Police Department, Butler County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Julie Hunter handled the prosecution for the government.
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