Four armed men stormed the Bass Pro Shops in Macon, Georgia, in a premeditated heist that netted 17 firearms, and now they’re facing federal time. On September 29, 2013, Dante Thomas, 32, of Atlanta, Georgia; Jabari Walters, 23, of East Point, Georgia; Tabari Walters, 23, also of East Point; and Kenneth Atwater, 34, of McDonough, Georgia, executed a smash-and-grab burglary that triggered a multi-year federal investigation. All four have now pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Theft from a Federal Firearms Licensee.
The crew didn’t leave anything to chance. After discussing the theft, they drove to Macon and parked off Interstate 75 northbound near the store. Surveillance and testimony show they sprinted up a hill to the emergency entrance. Thomas used a yellow crowbar to smash through the glass door, clearing the shards to allow entry. Once inside, they made a beeline for the firearms section, grabbed 17 guns, and fled back to Thomas’ vehicle before vanishing into the Atlanta area.
Law enforcement didn’t let the trail go cold. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) launched a sweeping investigation, culminating in a search warrant executed at Thomas’ home. Inside, agents found the yellow crowbar—identical to the one used in the break-in. Even more damning: cell phone data pulled from Thomas’ device placed him near the Macon store at the exact time of the burglary, with pings registered on nearby cell towers.
Jabari Walters copped a guilty plea on September 12, 2016, followed by Tabari Walters and Kenneth Atwater on October 27, 2016. Dante Thomas, the alleged ringleader who wielded the crowbar, entered his guilty plea on October 31, 2016. All four now face up to five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. No plea deals shielded them from serious consequences—this was a federal firearms crime, and the feds are treating it like one.
Sentencing dates have been locked in. Jabari Walters is set to learn his fate on November 20, 2016. The other three—Tabari Walters, Kenneth Atwater, and Dante Thomas—are scheduled for sentencing on February 15, 2017. The Government is being represented by Assistant United States Attorney Beth Howard, who’s pushing for maximum accountability under the law.
This case, prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, underscores the reach of federal law when firearms are stolen from licensed dealers. United States Attorney G.F. “Pete” Peterman, III, emphasized that such thefts pose a direct threat to public safety. Questions about the case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, at (478) 621-2603.
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