A “career criminal” with a lengthy rap sheet was sentenced Friday to serve life in prison with no parole for his participation in a 2005 shooting at the Madison McDonald’s.

Ferlando Esco, charged with aggravated assault, armed robbery, conspiracy, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and felony evasion, was sentenced to serve life in prison with no possibility of parole or probation. The sentences will run concurrently with one other and may not be reduced or suspended.

District Attorney David Clark said he thought Judge William E. Chapman’s sentence was wise considering the notoriety of the defendant.

“He’s like the Al Capone of Madison County,” Clark said.

Esco was accused of being one of three participants in the June 14, 2005, shooting of Curtis James outside the Madison McDonald’s. Two others charged in the shooting have already pleaded guilty. Isaiah Sanders, 24, identified as the gunman, pleaded first to the same charges Esco faced and will serve 40 years in jail. Michael Johnson, 29, entered a guilty plea for armed robbery July 31.

The district attorney’s office has recommended a 12-year sentence for Johnson, who testified this week against Esco. After a four-day trial that concluded Friday following a short jury deliberation, Judge Chapman sentenced Esco after allowing him to speak.

“I have been sitting here throughout the whole trial, and I feel that you, as a judge, are supposed to be on neutral grounds,” Esco said. “I don't feel that you, as a judge, was on neutral grounds. You are one-sided. . . I don’t see no fairness at all. It was like it was all planned out.”

Chapman asked Esco’s attorneys if they shared their client’s concerns, and both said they did not.

“Mr. Harris and Mr. Barnett, they have a whole lot to lose because they have to come back before you again, “Esco said. “I don’t have nothing to lose, and I don’t have no reason to lie.”

Chapman asked Esco about his legal problems, which began around age 9, and said he felt Esco’s life sentence was necessary to protect society.

“This is a sad situation,” he said. “You have lived a life of crime in this county. You are a danger to this county, and by that I mean Canton, and Madison County and, quite frankly, the state of Mississippi.”

Closing arguments began shortly after 10 a.m. Friday with assistant district attorney Tom Kessler giving a comprehensive overview of trial testimony.

Kessler said James was employed as a yard worker last June and was known to carry cash. Esco needed money, so he devised a plan to rob James, and solicited the help of Johnson and Sanders to carry out the plan. Posing as potential clients, Kessler said the three lured James to the McDonald’s in Madison, where the robbery occurred.

James, 40, who had $35 in his pocket that day, was shot. Bleeding, he made his way back inside the McDonald’s as the shooter and accomplices fled. Esco was arrested about two weeks after the shooting in Clarksville, Tenn. He testified that he had not been involved in the shooting or at the scene of the crime.

Defense attorney Randy Harris tried to discredit Johnson, whose testimony implicated Esco in the shooting. Harris said Johnson’s testimony was connected to a plea bargain he had worked out with the state.

“He got 12 years,” retorted assistant district attorney Scott Rogillio while addressing the jury. “That ain’t a cakewalk. There’s an old saying that when you are prosecuting the devil, you have to go to hell to get your witnesses.”

Clark said Esco’s conviction was the result of a joint effort by the Madison Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s office.

Esco’s criminal history

1990 - Esco, 16, steals $5 and a 1989 Chevrolet.
1991 - He is convicted in Madison County Circuit Court for the crime and sentenced to serve seven years. He serves seven months and is released.
1992 - Esco, 19, is accused of breaking into a pawnshop. The case is not prosecuted due to lack of evidence. Two months later, he is accused of using a deadly weapon to rob a couple of $480. This case is also not prosecuted due to lack of evidence.
1995 - Esco is accused of shooting a firearm into a house. The case was not prosecuted due to lack of evidence.
1996 - Esco stands trial on two counts accused of aggravated assault and carrying a firearm as a convicted felon. When the case is tried, the aggravated assault count is acquitted. The jury declares a mistrial for the illegal possession of a firearm charge, and a second trial is scheduled for that case, but it is not prosecuted due to lack of evidence.
1997 - Esco is charged with bribery, grand larceny and obstruction of justice. The cases is never prosecuted due to lack of evidence. Three months later, Esco is accused of obstructing justice by threatening a trial witness. This case is also not prosecuted due to lack of evidence. Two months later, he is accused of felony possession of a firearm. This case is not prosecuted due to lack of evidence.
2001 - Esco is arrested in Columbus and charged with possessing $64,000 in counterfeit currency. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison at a maximum security prison in Beaumont, Texas.
2002 - Esco is indicted and charged with the unlawful transport of firearms in Hinds County. This case was set to be heard in U.S. Southern District Court of Mississippi, but was dismissed without prejudice Sept. 18.
2003 - Esco is arrested in Canton and charged with disorderly conduct, breach of peace and interference with lawful trade.