19/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 19/08/2024 14:49
Montgomery, Alabama - Today, the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Alabama announced the sentencing of the third and final defendant for his role in the armed robbery of a convenience store.
On August 15, 2024, 33-year-old Marquis Shawn McKeithen, from Montgomery, Alabama, received a sentence of 141 months in prison. Earlier, on October 19, 2023, Kallisa Ann Mendenhall, 27, a resident of Tyler, Alabama, received a sentence of 114 months. Finally, on July 13, 2023, 21-year-old Jon'derius Lashon Scott, also from Montgomery, received a 94-month sentence. All three defendants previously pleaded guilty to charges of interference with interstate commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during a federal crime of violence.
According to court records, on December 1, 2022, McKeithen, Mendenhall, and Scott entered a convenience store on U.S. Highway 331 in Montgomery County, Alabama, all carrying firearms. Scott watched the door with his firearm out and ready while McKeithen and Mendenhall approached the counter. McKeithen leapt over the counter and grabbed the clerk, placing his gun to the clerk's head. Mendenhall remained on the other side of the counter with her gun pointed at the clerk. McKeithen demanded the clerk give them money from the register. Once McKeithen had the money, the three exited the station and sped away in a vehicle.
McKeithen's sentence reflects an additional unrelated charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On March 13, 2022, law enforcement in Shelby County found McKeithen in possession of a handgun. McKeithen has a previous felony conviction and is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The FBI Mobile Field Office and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office investigated this case, with assistance from the Montgomery Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Vestavia Hills Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon W. Bates prosecuted the case.