Hattiesburg, Miss. - Christian Jamal Martin, 20, of Hattiesburg, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to 126 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for his involvement in multiple armed robberies in Hattiesburg, as well as possessing ammunition while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Martin was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims of the robberies.
Martin was involved in the robberies of two gas stations in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on the morning of March 4, 2019, as well as a third attempted robbery at a Captain D’s restaurant on March 26, 2019. Firearms were discharged at all three locations. Martin functioned as the getaway driver during the incidents. On March 28, 2019, when Martin was apprehended by law enforcement, he was found in possession of ammunition and admitted during a subsequent interview to be an unlawful user of a controlled substance at the same time as the possession.
Martin was indicted on April 16, 2019 and pled guilty before Judge Starrett on Oct. 3, 2019. In adjudicating Martin’s sentence, Judge Starrett discussed the dangerous nature of the crimes Martin committed.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian. EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Hattiesburg Police Department investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew W. Eichner.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
