Repeat Offender Sentenced to 11 Years for Armed Robbery at Georgia Burger King
ROME, Ga. — A man with a three-decade criminal history is headed back to prison after robbing a fast-food restaurant in Fort Oglethorpe and forcing employees into a walk-in freezer.
Mario Merriweather was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II to 11 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He previously pleaded guilty to interference with interstate commerce by robbery.
According to court records, on October 26, 2023, Merriweather entered a Burger King located just south of the Tennessee-Georgia state line and brandished what appeared to be a pistol. He ordered one employee to empty the cash register and directed all employees into a walk-in freezer.
One employee managed to prevent the freezer door from locking by using his foot, while another employee called 911. As Merriweather attempted to flee, an employee who was lawfully armed followed him outside. When Merriweather turned and pointed what appeared to be a firearm, the employee fired two shots but did not strike him.
Merriweather fled the area but later passed out near his vehicle. Responding officers found him lying in the roadway near an air pistol and recovered a Burger King bag filled with cash.
Federal prosecutors noted that Merriweather’s criminal history dates back 30 years and includes prior robbery convictions. Records show he was convicted in 2001 for robbing both a Wendy’s and a Burger King, in 2005 for robbing two individuals, and in 2013 for robbing two banks.
“This most recent attack has resulted in a significant sentence that demonstrates criminals who terrorize workers will be held accountable and removed from the community,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg.
Mitchell Jackson, Special Supervisory Resident Agent for the FBI’s Cartersville office, said no one should have to endure the trauma experienced by the employees during the robbery.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Calvin A. Leipold III.
