De’Anthony Ra Shad Smith, a 27-year-old man from Vicksburg, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to an armed robbery at a Dollar General store in Florence, Mississippi. Smith was convicted of armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He had a previous conviction for aggravated robbery in Dallas County, Texas, in 2018.
The sentence, handed down by Judge Steve Ratcliff, includes 45 years for the armed robbery, 5 years for conspiracy, and 10 years for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
The incident occurred on September 8, 2023, when deputies from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Dollar General located on Highway 469 South. The suspect, wearing a mask, threatened a clerk and customer with a firearm, demanding money. Surveillance footage showed Smith entering the store, taking handfuls of cash, and exiting the building. A witness reported the vehicle’s tag number, which led to the Clinton Police Department locating and stopping the car on I-20. Inside, Smith was found with the stolen money and firearm.
District Attorney Bubba Bramlett praised the teamwork between local law enforcement agencies and the vigilant citizen who helped identify the suspect. Bramlett emphasized that armed robberies and crimes involving firearms would not be tolerated in Madison and Rankin Counties.