Mario Merriweather, a felon with a lengthy rap sheet, has been handed an 11-year prison sentence for an armed robbery at a Fort Oglethorpe fast-food outlet, forcing a terrifying scenario for the employees. U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg underscored Merriweather's history of recidivism and the impact of his crimes on workers just trying to do their jobs, stating that his actions will not go unpunished in the District, according to a press release published on the U.S. Attorney's Office website yesterday.
On the fateful day of October 26, 2023, Merriweather, seemingly armed, commanded staff at the Burger King to fill a bag with cash and then herded them into a walk-in freezer. In a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office, it was detailed that the employees cunningly used a foot to prevent the freezer door from locking fully, which allowed for a swift call to 911. The tension escalated when Merriweather was pursued and confronted by an armed employee, which fortunately did not result in any physical harm. Besides his attempted escape, Merriweather's plan further unraveled when he passed out near his vehicle, leading to his apprehension.
FBI Special Supervisory Resident Agent Mitchell Jackson expressed his pride in the collaborative efforts with local authorities to apprehend Merriweather and stressed the importance of protecting citizens from such violent crimes. The Federal Bureau of Investigation played a crucial role in the case, which ultimately saw Merriweather convicted on August 14, 2025, for interference with interstate commerce by robbery after he entered a guilty plea.
Merriweather's criminal background spans over three decades, including a series of robberies at a Wendy’s, another Burger King in 2001, robbing individuals in 2005, and robbing two banks in 2013. This week he was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II to serve out his 11-year term in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Calvin A. Leipold, III prosecuted the case, as further information can be found via the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Attorney.
