Man accused in 2023 Plush Lounge shooting takes plea deal, sentenced to 20 years
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia man who was previously charged with murder in a May 7, 2023, shooting in the parking lot of Plush Lounge pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.
Samuel Lee Moss Jr., 29, pleaded guilty on Monday to unlawful use of a weapon, according to an email from Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson. He was sentenced 15 years in prison for that charge, and was sentenced an additional five years for unlawful gun possession in another case.
Moss was previously charged with second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and two counts of illegal gun possession. In his second case, he was initially charged with failure to register as a sex offender, being a sex offender near a playground, illegal gun possession and armed criminal action.
Moss is currently being held at the Boone County Jail.
Two other people were charged in the death of Melvin Hooker III:
- Kimo Spivey, 34, of Columbia, was charged with second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, illegal gun possession and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.
- Justin Lamar Simpson, 41, was charged with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of armed criminal action and illegal gun possession. Spivey is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond.
According to previous reporting, Moss could be seen approaching the victim in security footage. Moss allegedly had a gun drawn as he was walking towards the victim.
Spivey then apparently approached Moss, who also had a gun at his side just before shots were fired, court documents said. Court records said there was a brief interaction or conversation between the two men before they began shooting.
According to court documents in previous reporting, Spivey was seen walking toward the direction of Hooker and began shooting at him. Video footage then shows Moss "shooting at or in the direction of MH as well."
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