Korea McKay, 44, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for possessing ammunition in connection with a homicide that took place in Tunica County. U.S. District Court Judge Michael P. Mills delivered the sentence, which is the statutory maximum penalty and will run consecutively to an existing 48-month sentence McKay is already serving for a previous conviction in Desoto County.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that on February 18, 2023, McKay shot and killed Davao Thomas at the Kirby Estates apartment complex after Thomas asked him to slow down. Investigators recovered two shell casings at the scene. After fleeing, McKay's truck was found days later hidden behind a trailer in Dundee, Mississippi.
Following his release from state custody on a murder arrest warrant, federal authorities charged McKay with being a felon in possession of a firearm due to his prior felony record. He was indicted for possession of ammunition related to the homicide and held without bond.
Court records indicated that McKay had multiple prior felony convictions, including assaulting a police officer and a federal drug offense. At sentencing, it was noted that he is considered a violent and high-ranking member of the Vice Lords gang. Judge Mills remarked that “for a defendant to openly kill another human being in broad daylight, is the most outrageous one he’s seen in 25 years.”
U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner commented on the outcome: “The number one priority of this office is to keep the citizens of this district safe, and removing a violent, repeat offender like Korea McKay from civilized society will go a long way toward accomplishing that goal,” said Joyner. “AUSAs Sam Stringfellow and Julie Addison joined with our partners at ATF and the Tunica County Sheriff’s Department to help put this defendant exactly where he belongs, inside a prison cell.”
ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson stated: “In our effort to disrupt violent gun crime in our community, ATF will continue to focus efforts on prohibited individuals who unlawfully possess ammunition, especially in the commission of a homicide. The sentence imposed today sends a message to convicted felons who are prohibited from possessing ammunition and/or firearms that we will continue to work to keep our neighborhoods safe as the top priority for ATF.”
Sheriff Calvin “KC” Hamp of Tunica County also expressed appreciation for interagency cooperation: "The Tunica County Sheriff’s Office extends our sincere gratitude to our State and Federal partners for their continued efforts in combatting violent crime across Mississippi,” stated Hamp. “We are proud to embrace these vital partnerships and the resources they bring to help us foster safer communities—especially here in Tunica County. We also give heartfelt thanks to the citizens we serve. Your commitment to civic responsibility does not go unnoticed. Together, we stand united in building a safer future for all. We are all in this together."
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Tunica County Sheriff’s Department, and Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel Stringfellow and Julie Addison prosecuted the case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime by coordinating law enforcement efforts at all levels with local communities (https://www.justice.gov/psn). The program focuses on fostering trust within communities; supporting organizations working on violence prevention; establishing targeted enforcement priorities; and measuring results.
