JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) — A 19-year-old Ocean Springs man will spend the next 15 years behind bars following a violent and reckless crime spree that began when he was just 17.
Max Parker Ste. Marie was sentenced Tuesday in Jackson County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to a string of home burglaries, gun thefts, and leading deputies on a high-speed pursuit.
The crimes occurred on August 31, 2023, starting with a burglary-in-progress call in Vancleave. A witness noticed a suspicious white sedan parked on a dead-end road near a blaring alarm. As two teenagers sped off, the neighbor took a photo of the license plate, helping authorities identify Ste. Marie as the driver.
Within hours, more burglaries were reported — including one from an 87-year-old woman’s home — and two firearms were stolen. Deputies spotted the vehicle and gave chase, ending when Ste. Marie crashed on Washington Avenue and attempted to flee on foot. Inside the vehicle, officers found four firearms, including a bolt-action rifle and two handguns.
Initially, Ste. Marie was offered a chance at redemption. Prosecutors recommended four years in prison and five years of probation, along with a stint in a rehabilitation center. However, Ste. Marie fled from the facility, stole a car, and was later arrested in Walton County, Florida, after another crash while fleeing deputies.
Florida authorities charged him with reckless driving, grand theft auto, and fleeing law enforcement. He was extradited back to Mississippi, where his sentence was upgraded to 20 years with 15 to serve, followed by five years of supervised release.
In court, Ste. Marie expressed remorse:
“I want to be a better person, sir… I have many regrets, but I don’t really want to do 20 years.”
But Judge Calvin Taylor stood firm:
“You ought to get 25 years on each case.”
Ste. Marie remains in custody, beginning his 15-year sentence.
