Show-Me State Times

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp sentenced Anthony Wooten, a 41-year-old man from St. Louis, Missouri, to 10 years in prison for being caught with a fully automatic Glock handgun and cocaine base after a police chase. Wooten, who pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, admitted to his actions, stating, "I'm not going to excuse what I did."

The incident occurred on May 30, 2023, when St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers attempted to stop Wooten's vehicle near the intersection of Goodfellow Boulevard and Natural Bridge Avenue. Wooten initially stopped but fled when officers approached him, leading to a high-speed chase through residential neighborhoods. Wooten was found with a .40-caliber Glock pistol equipped with a conversion device that turned it into a fully automatic weapon, along with cocaine base and multiple loaded magazines.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Martin highlighted Wooten's criminal history, including prior convictions for violent offenses and evading law enforcement. Martin emphasized the seriousness of the case, noting Wooten's past actions and the danger he posed during the chase. Martin stated, "The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case."

The sentencing reflects the commitment to addressing violent crime and gun violence in the community through initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to reduce crime and enhance public safety in St. Louis.