Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
NASHVILLE – Jesse Jose Rucker, 35, of Nashville, Tennessee, was sentenced yesterday to 25 years in federal prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, on charges related to a series of carjackings and robberies he committed in Middle Tennessee in November 2021 while he was on probation for a state court felony offense, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Robert E. McGuire. Rucker previously pled guilty to four counts of commercial robbery, four carjacking counts, three counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“This prosecution again demonstrates our unwavering commitment to hold violent offenders accountable for the havoc they wreak in our community” said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “This sentence ensures that Jesse Rucker will not have the chance hurt any other citizen for over two decades. Those who would do similar violence should know that we will do what it takes to ensure that they face similar punishment.”
“This investigation focused on armed robberies, multiple carjackings, and terrifying acts of violence within the communities that we serve,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson. “The ATF and our valued law enforcement partners will continue to collaborate and work collectively to take violent criminals off our streets in an effort to maintain public safety.”
“Accountability is essential for violent criminals who prey on innocent victims,” said Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake. “In this case, our partnership with federal law enforcement to hold Rucker accountable means that he will be 60 when he is released from prison. I deeply appreciate the U.S. Attorney’s Office for working closely with us to keep Nashville safe.”
According to court documents, on November 10, 2021, Rucker entered the Hightail Convenience Store on Eaton’s Creek Road in Joelton, Tennessee, and requested the clerk turn on a gas pump for him. When she said she could not, he opened his jacket and showed her a gun. He told her, “My homie was just shot, and I have to do what I have to do.” He left the store and pumped gas then returned to the store and demanded the money from the register. He received approximately $180 from the clerk, then fled the store.
On November 11, 2021, at 8:01 a.m., Rucker carjacked a victim at the Woodspring Suites, located at 515 Metroplex Drive in Nashville. Rucker pulled into a parking space next to the victim, pointed a gun at the victim, and stated, “I want your car.” A few hours later, Rucker carjacked two more victims outside their home. He pointed a gun at the victims and told them he needed their vehicle. He then fled in their car in the direction of Nolensville Pike where, a few minutes later, he was captured on video getting out of the car before robbing the Harding Pharmacy at 4120 Nolensville Pike in Nashville. Rucker entered the pharmacy and approached the counter where he asked the victim for two boxes of syringes while waiving a black and silver pistol.
Less than an hour later, at approximately 1:37 p.m., Rucker pulled up in the second stolen car next to yet another victim who was sitting in their car eating lunch at 1201 Antioch Pike. He pointed a gun at the victim and asked if he could have the victim’s car and phone. The victim refused to turn over the phone, despite Rucker asking multiple times. Finally, Rucker drove off in the victim’s car. A few minutes later, Rucker parked the latest stolen car outside the Metro PCS store at 3503 Nolensville Pike. He walked into the store and yelled to the employees, “You’re about to get robbed.” The employees did not believe him at first, but he then pulled out his black and silver gun, cocked it, and pointed it at an employee. He then demanded all the store’s iPhones. Surveillance from a nearby store captured Rucker entering the store, then walking by with his arms full of the stolen items from Metro PCS. Within minutes of leaving Metro PCS, Rucker entered the Dubai Jewelry store at 3971 Nolensville Pike with a gun in his hand where he smashed the glass of a jewelry counter with his gun. He reached into the jewelry counter and grabbed four 24 carat gold rings valued at $1,450 before leaving the store. After fleeing the store, Rucker crashed the stolen car into another car and attempted to carjack that car, but it had been disabled by the crash. Rucker then ran through the street and fired at least one shot.
Rucker then carjacked yet another car at gunpoint at 2219 Murfreesboro Pike. This car was occupied by a couple and their two young children. Metro Nashville Police officers located the vehicle and initiated a pursuit on I-40 East into Wilson County where the pursuit lasted more than six minutes with multiple law enforcement vehicles dodging in and out of interstate traffic at speeds up to 126 miles per hour. Rucker crashed the stolen car into a Wilson County Sheriff’s Office deputy’s car and then ran away still carrying his gun in his hand. Wilson County deputies chased Rucker on foot for a short time down the interstate into oncoming traffic before catching and arresting him.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel M. Stephens prosecuted the case.
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