CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO – In a shocking case of brazen theft, a Tennessee man has been sentenced to 137 months in prison for stealing firearms from vehicles in Missouri. Corterian L. Wright, now 42, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau in April to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The thefts occurred on October 24, 2023, when Wright broke into 24 vehicles in Scott County and New Madrid County. The vehicles were parked at multiple businesses in those counties, and the thefts took place within a 3½ hour span. Wright admitted to stealing five handguns from the vehicles.
Wright is a felon and is thus barred from possessing firearms. His guilty plea was a significant blow to his defense, and he is now facing the consequences of his actions. The sentencing was a culmination of a thorough investigation by the Matthews Police Department, the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office, the New Madrid Police Department, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Shelton is prosecuting the case. Shelton has a reputation for being tough on crime, and his involvement in this case is a testament to his commitment to keeping the community safe.
The sentencing of Corterian L. Wright serves as a warning to others who would engage in similar criminal activity. Stealing firearms from vehicles is a serious offense, and those who commit such crimes will be held accountable.
Wright’s sentence is a result of his guilty plea, which was entered in April. The sentencing took place on Tuesday, with U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk handing down the 137-month prison sentence. This sentence is a significant punishment for Wright, and it reflects the severity of the crime he committed.
In conclusion, the sentencing of Corterian L. Wright is a significant development in this case. It serves as a reminder that stealing firearms from vehicles is a serious offense, and those who commit such crimes will be held accountable. The community can rest assured that the authorities are working tirelessly to keep them safe.
Mandatory Facts: Defendant: Corterian L. Wright, Crime: Felon in Possession of a Firearm, City/State: Cape Girardeau, MO, Date: April (guilty plea), Sentence: 137 months in prison.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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