Source: United States Attorneys General
Headline: Convicted Felon with Possession of a Weapon Pleads Guilty
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOSHUA JOHNSON, age 37, has pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. Sections 922(g)(1). The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in the Bureau of Prisons, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
JOHNSON was arrested by personnel of the New Orleans Police Department on July 9, 2015, and charged with illegally carrying a weapon and possession of a firearm or weapon by a convicted felon. During an investigatory stop pat down, Officer Gray discovered a firearm in JOHNSON’S waistband. JOHNSON was subsequently arrested. JOHNSON admitted to possessing the firearm for protection, and advised he had been robbed and held for hours at gunpoint in March, 2015. Therefore, the firearm which JOHNSON possessed on July 9, 2015 had to travel in and affect interstate and foreign commerce.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The U.S. Attorney wishes to thank the hard work of the NOPD and ATF in investigating the matter. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Privitera.