Justice Served: Pike County Robbers Sentenced to 20 Years for Violent Heist

PIKE COUNTY, MS (BuzzReport) – A nearly year-and-a-half-long saga of violent crime, diligent police work, and ultimate accountability reached its conclusion today in a Pike County courtroom. Joseph Stewart and Curdarrean Carr, both 20, were sentenced to 20 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to Armed Robbery and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

The sentence, handed down by Circuit Court Judge David Strong, closes a chapter on a brazen and shocking act of violence that unfolded on the quiet stretch of Pleasant Grove Road on April 23rd, 2024.

“This was a cold-blooded act of betrayal against one of our own citizens in their own community,” said Sheriff Bryant “Wally” Jones, addressing the press outside the courthouse. “The swift response of our deputies, the meticulous work of our detectives, and the unwavering pursuit of justice by District Attorney Adams’ office ensured these individuals will no longer be a threat to the good people of Pike County. This sentence sends a clear message: we will not tolerate this kind of violence here.”

According to court documents and the subsequent investigation, the incident began as a premeditated robbery. Stewart and Carr, then both 18, approached their victim armed with a fake rifle, using the replica weapon to hold the man at gunpoint and steal his personal handgun.

The situation escalated rapidly when the victim physically resisted. In a chilling turn, the suspects then used the victim’s own firearm against him, shooting him in the neck before fleeing the scene. Quick-thinking calls from neighbors led deputies to the location within minutes, where they provided critical aid to the wounded man and immediately began a search for the suspects.

Their flight was short-lived. Pike County detectives, utilizing eyewitness accounts and evidence gathered at the scene, located and apprehended Stewart and Carr as they attempted to flee the area.

“The courage of the victim to resist, combined with the immediate community cooperation, gave us the tools we needed to act fast,” lead Detective Alan Shepherd noted. “This was a team effort from the moment the first call came in.”

The victim was transported by AAA Ambulance Service to Southwest MS Regional Medical Center, where medical professionals stabilized his critical injuries. He has since undergone a long recovery.

District Attorney Brendon Adams and Assistant DA Rodney Tidwell built a formidable case, resulting in a September 2024 indictment. Facing overwhelming evidence, both defendants opted to enter guilty pleas, foregoing a trial.

“These defendants made a series of terrible choices that irrevocably altered multiple lives, including their own,” said DA Adams. “Their decision to plead guilty is a acknowledgment of the strength of the case against them and provides a measure of closure for the victim without the need for a protracted trial. Twenty years is a significant sentence that reflects the severity of their crimes.”

Sheriff Jones extended his gratitude beyond his own office, stating, “True justice is a collaborative effort. From the swift medical response that saved a life, to the prosecutors who secured the conviction, this was Pike County at its best—standing together against those who would do us harm.”

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