MACON, GA – Justice, years in the making, has finally come down for the crew that brazenly ripped off the Macon Bass Pro Shops back in 2013. United States Attorney G. F. “Pete” Peterman, III, announced the sentencing of the final two defendants in the case this week, bringing a close to a lengthy federal investigation.
The ringleader, Dante Thomas, 32, of Atlanta, Georgia, already received a hefty 60 months in prison – to be served on top of an existing state sentence. Tabari Walters, 24, of East Point, Georgia, got 33 months. Now, Kenneth Atwater, 35, of McDonough, Georgia, will spend 45 months behind bars, and Jabari Walters, 24, also of East Point, Georgia, is headed to prison for 48 months. All four men were jointly and severally ordered to cough up $14,619.83 in restitution to Bass Pro Shops for their trouble.
The crime unfolded on September 29, 2013. The quartet, after plotting to steal firearms, parked near the Bass Pro Shops off Interstate 75 in Macon. They ditched the vehicle and made a run for the store, targeting a glass window near the boat display. Thomas, wielding a yellow crowbar, smashed his way inside, giving the others access. Once inside, they headed straight for the gun section, shattering the security bar and making off with 17 firearms.
According to court documents, the four then hightailed it back to Thomas’ vehicle and fled to the Atlanta area, each retaining possession of the guns they’d personally stolen. Law enforcement wasn’t left in the dark for long. Agents secured a search warrant for Thomas’ residence, where they recovered the telltale yellow crowbar. Cell phone records further cemented his presence at the scene, pinging his phone near the Bass Pro Shops around the time of the burglary.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) spearheaded the investigation, working tirelessly to track down the stolen weapons and bring these criminals to justice. Assistant United States Attorney Beth Howard skillfully prosecuted the case for the government. This wasn’t just a burglary; it was a direct threat to public safety, and these sentences reflect the seriousness of the crime.
Anyone with questions regarding this case is encouraged to contact Pamela Lightsey, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603. While this case is closed, the Grimy Times will continue to shine a light on the dark underbelly of federal crime, ensuring accountability and transparency.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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