Fulton man pleads guilty to shooting semis on I-70

A Fulton man pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court to shooting at several semi-trucks during a chase on Interstate 70.

Russell D. Moore Jr. admitted to three charges stemming from a chase with deputies through Boone and Callaway counties on Apr. 7, 2016.

Boone County deputies tried stopping Moore and Victoria Buol at Midway Travel Plaza when a deputy noticed a Jeep that had been reported stolen earlier. The agreement said that the two sped off as the deputy approached, and Moore, the passenger, began shooting at the deputies.

The plea agreement said that Moore shot at four semi-trucks when the chase made it to Interstate 70, “nearly striking one of the drivers.” Investigators spoke to two of the drivers, including one who found a bullet lodged behind his seat. Another driver reported that a bullet struck his engine, causing it to smoke.

The pursuit eventually ended on County Road 172 in Callaway County when the Jeep ran out of gas, according to law enforcement.

Moore and Buol told investigators at the time that they shot at the trucks hoping to cause a crash and end the deputies’ pursuit.

Don Ledford, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas City, said they would recommend a 40-year sentence for Moore. A sentencing hearing date has not been set.

Online court records show Buol has a “change of plea” hearing scheduled for Jan. 9 in Jefferson City.

At least two sheriff’s cars were disabled during the chase. The department said that one car was damaged by the gunshots, while another unsuccessfully tried a “PIT maneuver” on Moore and Buol to end the chase.