ST. PAUL, MN – A brazen pursuit of gunfire and reckless driving culminated in a St. Paul restaurant becoming collateral damage, as 19-year-old Moeshea Isiah Hart admitted to illegally possessing a machine gun. The incident, which unfolded on February 15, 2023, saw Hart crashing a stolen Jeep through the Ox Cart Ale House after leading police on a high-speed chase.
The chaos began when St. Paul Police responded to reports of shots fired near Luella Street North and Wilson Avenue. Witnesses described a black Jeep, apparently pursuing another vehicle, unleashing a barrage of automatic gunfire. Officers quickly located the suspect Jeep, its rear window riddled with bullet holes, and attempted to pull it over. Instead of complying, Hart floored it, initiating a dangerous chase that ultimately ended with a violent collision and the Jeep smashing into the unoccupied Ox Cart Ale House.
After the crash, officers detained Hart and discovered the source of the automatic gunfire: a loaded Glock model 45 9mm pistol equipped with a switch – a device that illegally transforms a handgun into a fully automatic machine gun. Eleven 9mm cartridge casings were found inside and around the driver’s area of the stolen Jeep, including one on the restaurant floor. The Jeep itself had been reported stolen from St. Paul back in December 2022, adding another layer to Hart’s mounting legal troubles.
Hart yesterday pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court before Judge Jerry W. Blackwell to one count of possession of a machine gun. The charge carries a significant penalty, but sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Federal prosecutors are building their case, and Hart is likely facing a substantial prison term for his actions.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the St. Paul Police Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The agencies worked together to piece together the events of the night and bring Hart to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the case.
The incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by illegal firearms and the willingness of some individuals to endanger public safety. While the Ox Cart Ale House was fortunately empty at the time of the crash, the recklessness displayed by Hart could have easily resulted in serious injuries or fatalities. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it progresses through the legal system.
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