Furrell Johnson, Carjacking and Brandishing a Firearm, Louisiana 2022

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Furrell Johnson, 33, of New Orleans, will spend the next 18 years and 11 months in federal prison for snatching a vehicle from a man at gunpoint last October. U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk handed down the 227-month sentence Thursday, a harsh rebuke for a brazen act of violence that terrorized a local resident.

According to court documents, Johnson targeted the victim as he approached his Honda CRV on October 13, 2022. Johnson didn’t bother with subtlety, immediately yanking the car key from the victim’s hand. When the victim reacted, Johnson escalated the situation, brandishing a black semi-automatic handgun and pointing it directly at the man. He and an unidentified accomplice then peeled off in the stolen vehicle.

The sentencing breaks down to 71 months for the carjacking itself, followed by a consecutive 156-month term for brandishing the firearm during the commission of a crime. Judge Africk also tacked on three years of supervised release after the carjacking sentence, and five years following the firearm sentence. Johnson will also be responsible for a $200 special assessment fee, a mere pittance compared to the years he’ll be forfeiting his freedom.

Federal prosecutors secured convictions on two counts: carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Haller of the Violent Crime Unit handled the case, demonstrating a clear commitment to holding violent offenders accountable. The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the New Orleans Police Department.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans highlighted the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative designed to combat violent crime and gun violence. The program aims to foster trust between law enforcement and communities, support local violence prevention organizations, and focus enforcement efforts on the most pressing threats. But for the victim in this case, and for the city of New Orleans, the promise of PSN is cold comfort after a terrifying encounter.

The identity of Johnson’s accomplice remains unknown as of Thursday. Authorities continue to investigate, suggesting the possibility of further charges and arrests related to this incident. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as they become available. This case serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing struggle against violent crime in New Orleans and the lengths to which some individuals will go to prey on innocent citizens.

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