Judge Sentences Warren County Man To 30 Years In Prison For Attempting To Kill Federal Officers

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri:

February 26, 2021

ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Elijah Moore to 360 months in prison today. The 38-year-old Warrenton, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to kill a federal officer, one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and one count of carjacking.

On July 29, 2019, a Task Force Officer (TFO) with the U.S. Marshals Service went to a residence in Wentzville to assist the St. Charles County Police Department in an attempt to locate a suspect in a Warren County home invasion.

The TFO noticed a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle taken during the home invasion robbery. St. Charles County SWAT found two people and made two arrests. One of those arrested told officers Moore had fled from the residence, tried leaving in the stolen vehicle, but it became stuck in the mud.

Later in the afternoon, a nearby homeowner discovered his home had burglarized and reported several firearms, ammunition and a vehicle as stolen. The TFO and a St. Charles County Police Department detective who was assisting in the operation located Moore later that day. Moore was the passenger in a blue Mustang driven by a female. The blue Mustang fled from officers at a high rate of speed until it stopped in a gravel parking lot. Moore jumped from the vehicle and fired multiple shots at the officers.

The TFO and detective prepared to return fire; however, the driver of the blue Mustang screamed that there were children in the vehicle. Fearing injury to the children, the officers did not return fire, allowing Moore to escape through the woods while continuing to shoot at officers. Moore then stole a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck from a nearby business, firing shots to ward off law enforcement and others. Moore once again fled, shooting at pursing officers. He eventually crashed, at which time a gun-battle ensued with Moore continuing to fire at officers. Officers returned fire, striking Moore in the legs. He was taken into custody and crime scene investigators found nearly two dozen bullets and a revolver containing three fired cartridges and three unfired bullets.

“The sentence handed down today will allow Elijah Moore to have three decades to ponder why he ever decided to shoot at law enforcement officers. Let this be a reminder to others who might ever give a moment’s thought of shooting at law enforcement officers: it’s a fast track to prison,” said U.S. Marshal John Jordan.

“Our office will not tolerate individuals, like Elijah Moore, who commit violent crimes against law enforcement and others. The brave men and women of area law enforcement are to be commended for risking their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming. “This is a good example of our federal, state and local partners working together to make the community a safer place for everyone.”

The St. Charles County and Wentzville Police Departments, United States Marshals Service and St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office investigated this case.

This press release was produced by the US Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri. The views expressed here are the author’s own.