MSUPD Makes Arrest in Nov. 8 Game Day Armed Robbery

Johnson

STARKVILLE, Miss. (Press Release) — The Mississippi State University Police Department has made an arrest in the Nov. 8 armed robbery incident that took place during the Homecoming football game between MSU and the University of Tennessee-Martin.

MSUPD Lieutenant Brad Massey confirmed that Marcus Earl Johnson, 22, of Starkville, was arrested by MSUPD personnel on Jan. 27 and faces one count of a charge of armed robbery. The incident took place near the Clay Lyle Entomology Lab in a parking lot when a pay lot attendant was robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash at about 2 p.m. The cash was later recovered, Massey said.

Johnson remains in custody at the Oktibbeha County Detention Center, Massey said. Johnson faces additional charges of armed robbery in incidents believed to be unrelated to the MSU on-campus robbery.

“MSU’s top priority is maintaining a safe and family-oriented game day experience for our students, faculty and staff and for our fans and guests,” said Massey. “We will not tolerate this kind of behavior on our campus and that’s why this case has remained a priority investigation by MSUPD.”

Update: The Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office confirms Johnson was arrested in April 2014 on armed robbery and burglary charges.