GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi man has pleaded guilty in a case involving a stolen firearm, federal authorities said Wednesday.
Cody Jerome Cooley, 22, of Hattiesburg, pleaded guilty to unlawfully obstructing, delaying and affecting commerce by using actual force or violence to steal a firearm from Academy Sports + Outdoors in Gulfport on Nov. 6, 2021, U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca said in a news release.
Court documents show Cooley approached the store's gun counter, asked to see one of the handguns and after the clerk gave it to him to examine, he then motioned toward another handgun in the display case. When the clerk turned to look at the second gun, Cooley hit the clerk and fled the store.
Armed civilians later apprehended Cooley in a nearby parking lot.
Under questioning from police, Cooley later admitted to taking the gun and striking the clerk. He faces up to 20 years in jail. Sentencing is set for April 12.
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