Moss Point teen handed maximum 40-year sentence for murder of 18-year-old

MOSS POINT, Miss. (WLOX) - On Friday, officials announced that Korey Cameron Monroe of Moss Point was sentenced to serve 40 years in prison.

Court officials state that on January 18, 2021, 18-year-old Caleb Lett was sitting in his parked car on Woodlawn Avenue in Moss Point when Monroe, who was 15 at the time, opened the door and pointed a gun at him.

When Monroe demanded money, Lett began to fight back. He was shot and killed immediately after exiting his car. After the murder, Monroe ran away from the scene. He was arrested the next day.

On July 15, 2024, Monroe entered a guilty plea, after which a pre-sentence investigation was ordered.

Before Monroe’s sentencing, Lett’s family members told the judge about the impact that his murder left on their family. They shared that Lett, who lived with Asperger’s Syndrome, was a very intelligent young man and a faithful member of his church. He was chosen as Mr. Moss Point in 2020, the year that he graduated, and was a member of the percussion section of the high school’s band. He earned numerous academic awards and was in his second semester at MGCCC at the time of his murder.

“This is a tragic case where a young man with a very bright future had his life stolen by a senseless act of violence,” said D.A. Angel Myers McIlrath. “If a juvenile commits a felony with a firearm, the law treats them as an adult. As shown by this maximum sentence, there will be accountability.”

The 40-year sentence, which was the maximum possible sentence based on Monroe’s age at the time of the crime, must be served day-for-day without the possibility of parole.

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