St. Louis City Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Fireworks Stand in St. Charles County at Gunpoint

St. Louis, MO –Duianete Moore, 38, of St. Louis City, MO, pleaded guilty to federal felony charges of robbery, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Moore appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Ronnie L. White who accepted his plea and set his sentencing date for April 7, 2020.

According to court documents, Moore engaged in on-going criminal activity throughout the spring and summer of 2018, including the theft of firearms from vehicles on four separate occasions.  Further, on June 26, 2018, Moore and a female rushed into Crazy Cheap Fireworks tent in St. Charles County.  Moore pointed a firearm at the employees, demanded they lay on the ground and not to look at him.  Victims had their wallets and cell phones taken by Moore and the female.  Three cash registers were taken containing U.S. currency from the proceeds of fireworks sales.  At the time of Moore’s subsequent arrest, Moore possessed a backpack containing a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a drum magazine.   

Moore faces up to 20 years in prison on the robbery charge.  In addition, Moore faces between seven years and life in prison on the charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and not more than ten years on the felon in possession charge.  Each count carries a fine of $250,000.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case.