Former Georgia football player Akil Nasir Crampton was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple charges related to the shooting death of a gas station clerk.
Crampton’s sentencing announcementThe Justice Department said court documents and evidence presented at trial show that on March 19, 2021, at 1:15 a.m., Mr. Crampton approached clerk Elijah Wood at the Racetrack gas station in Watkinsville, Georgia. He said the evidence shows “a Glock 19 pistol was used at gunpoint.” The weapon was illuminated and fired at close range, striking him in the chest. ”
Wood, who was on a FaceTime call with his girlfriend at the time, died at the scene after Crampton fled without taking money from the register or store merchandise.
Later that year, Crampton, now 26, had a confrontation in Philadelphia with a man named Anthony Jones, and Crampton shot and killed Jones.
Jones allegedly took the car keys and a second firearm from Crampton, and Crampton shot and killed Jones.
Ballistics testing of the Glock 19 pistol Crampton used in the Philadelphia shooting revealed that the same gun was used to kill Wood in Georgia.
Mr. Crampton was arrested by FTI and ATF agents in his hometown of Philadelphia last March on a murder warrant stemming from a shooting in Georgia.
The Department of Justice said Crampton jumped from his bedroom window and was eventually arrested by FBI SWAT during a chase.
Federal authorities found the Glock 19 used in both shootings in a backpack in Crampton’s bedroom that was determined by ballistics testing and was worn by Crampton during both incidents. Clothes were also found.
Crampton’s teammate, Juwan Taylor, said at trial that Crampton confessed to shooting at the gas station, saying, “I didn’t mean it. I just wanted money and I shot him in the store, in the store.” He testified. store,” and the gun “just went off.”
Crampton played wide receiver for Georgia State during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
Crampton’s sentence, in summary, was 20 years in prison for attempted robbery and interference with commerce, and an additional 10 years for making false statements when purchasing a firearm.
In the latter charge, co-defendant James North Armstrong admitted to purchasing a Glock 19 for Crampton and pleaded guilty last October to making a false statement when purchasing a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. He could be sentenced to up to $250,000 in prison and a $250,000 fine.
