ST. LOUIS – Leroy Richard Walker Jr., 54, is headed to federal prison for eight years after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and violating sex offender restrictions. The sentencing, handed down Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp, closes a case riddled with reckless behavior and a disturbing pattern of predatory conduct.
The trouble began November 25, 2022, in Eureka, Missouri, when Walker unleashed a shot from a pistol during a road rage incident. According to court documents, Walker fired after a driver allegedly passed him and cut him off while exiting Interstate 44. The incident, while seemingly isolated, revealed a volatile temper and a blatant disregard for public safety, especially given Walker’s extensive criminal history.
But the gun charge was just one piece of a far more unsettling puzzle. Investigators soon uncovered two separate incidents of Walker violating the restrictions placed upon registered sex offenders, specifically those concerning proximity to schools and bus stops. On November 28, 2023, in Franklin County, Walker admitted to approaching and speaking with two children waiting for their school bus – a direct breach of his court-ordered limitations.
The brazenness escalated on May 14, 2024, when Walker pulled up in front of a Franklin County high school and began talking to a 16-year-old girl also waiting for the bus. He offered her a ride home, and during the drive, put his arm around her. The victim told authorities she felt coerced into accepting the ride, fearing Walker might harm her. He dropped her off at a commercial business, leaving a chilling account of manipulation and intimidation.
Walker’s rap sheet is a litany of violent offenses, including prior felony convictions for first-degree assault, attempted forcible rape, armed criminal action, burglary, tampering, stealing a motor vehicle, and escape. This history, combined with the recent incidents, painted a clear picture of a dangerous individual unable or unwilling to abide by the law. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson successfully argued for the eight-year sentence, emphasizing the severity of Walker’s actions and the risk he poses to the community.
The investigation was a collaborative effort led by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Pacific Police Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc. The eight-year sentence serves as a harsh reminder that preying on children and illegally possessing firearms will not be tolerated.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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