Rapture Robbery: Malik Mack Gets 24 Months

NEW ORLEANS – A brazen theft at the Norfolk Southern Railyard landed 27-year-old Malik Mack of New Orleans a two-year federal prison sentence. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the sentencing of Mack on June 11, 2024, following a guilty plea to theft from an interstate shipment and aiding and abetting in that theft. U.S. District Judge Brandon S. Long handed down the 24-month sentence.

The crime unfolded on March 29, 2023, when Mack, alongside three other individuals, illegally entered the railyard – a hub for goods moving across state lines. Their target? A high-end Ford F-150 Raptor truck. According to court records, the crew intended to steal the vehicle, and Norfolk Southern Railway Police quickly caught on. A pursuit ensued, leading to Mack’s apprehension at the scene.

Mack readily admitted his involvement, confessing to entering the facility with the explicit intent to steal the black Ford F-150 Raptor. The truck, valued at a hefty $80,625.00, was in the process of being moved by one of his accomplices when the police intervened. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was a calculated attempt to profit from interstate commerce.

Beyond the 24 months behind bars, Judge Long also imposed a three-year term of supervised release upon Mack’s eventual release. A $100 mandatory special assessment fee was also ordered, a standard penalty in federal cases. While the sentence may seem lenient to some, federal guidelines and plea agreements often dictate the final outcome.

U.S. Attorney Evans was quick to commend the collaborative effort that brought Mack to justice. He specifically praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, the Norfolk Southern Railway Police, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police. This case highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling railroad theft and protecting the flow of goods across state lines.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy L. Bell, of the Violent Crimes Unit, led the prosecution. The investigation remains ongoing to identify and prosecute the remaining individuals involved in the Raptor robbery. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. This serves as a warning: stealing from interstate commerce carries serious federal consequences.