Johnnie Jefferson, Murder, Connecticut 2012

Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 22 Years for Murder

Bridgeport, CT – JOHNNIE JEFFERSON, also known as ‘Jeezy,’ 24, was sentenced to 264 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his involvement in the October 2012 murder of Dawayne Cobb in Bridgeport.

According to court documents, JEFFERSON and Trumaine Hearst devised a plan to rob Dawayne Cobb of marijuana. On October 10, 2012, JEFFERSON and Hearst drove to the vicinity of 220 Sunshine Circle to meet Cobb and robbed him at gunpoint of a jar containing approximately two ounces of marijuana.

In a shocking turn of events, although Cobb offered no resistance, Hearst shot him twice. JEFFERSON and Hearst transported the stolen marijuana to a Bridgeport residence and subsequently distributed it amongst themselves and others.

Later that day, Cobb was discovered in the driver seat of his idling vehicle. He had gunshot wounds in his shoulder and abdomen.

‘The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to addressing violence in the inner city whenever and wherever it appears,’ stated U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly. ‘This young man was struck down in the prime of his life over a small amount of marijuana. This sentence makes clear that defendants responsible for such lawless cruelty will be held accountable.’

JEFFERSON pleaded guilty to one count of causing the death of Dawayne Cobb through the use of a firearm on November 3, 2014. He and Trumaine Hearst have been detained since July 16, 2013. U.S. Attorney Daly noted that federal prisoners are required to serve at least 85 percent of their sentenced term of imprisonment and are not eligible for parole.

This matter was investigated by the Bridgeport Police Department and the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Dayton and Rahul Kale.

‘Today sends a clear message that gun violence won’t ever be tolerated in Bridgeport, and the people who commit it will face the consequences,’ stated Bridgeport Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett, Jr.

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