A Gulfport man will serve 15 years for the 2021 robbery of a Circle K

A Gulfport man will spend 15 years in prison for robbing a Circle K in 2021.

Nelson Walker, 35, was convicted after the jury deliberated for about 2 1/2 hours. He will serve a 15-year sentence consecutive to a sentence Walker served for a previous conviction.

During the trial, the jury heard evidence that Walker entered the Circle K at the corner of 28th Street and Highway 49 and repeatedly shouted “This is a robbery!”

Walker also assaulted a female clerk and threatened the clerk, who called 911 and then went to the back office to wait for police.

Prosecutors said Walker tried to open the register but couldn’t, so he took the money that was on the counter and left.

He was arrested by Gulfport police across the street from the store. Walker took the stand and said he did not intend to rob the store and only intended to buy a drink and chips.

“I want to first thank the men and women who testified during the trial about what they saw that day. These witnesses did not ask to be involved, but they also knew that their testimony was necessary in order to be held accountable. This defendant needlessly terrorized a convenience store and deserved a 15-year sentence,” said District Attorney Crosby Parker.