Furrell Johnson, Carjacking and Violating the Federal Gun Control Act, Louisiana 2022

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Furrell Johnson, 33, of New Orleans, is staring down a potentially lengthy prison sentence after admitting to violently carjacking a victim last October. Johnson pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk to charges of carjacking and violating the Federal Gun Control Act, bringing a grim chapter in the city’s ongoing struggle with violent crime to a temporary close.

According to court documents, Johnson forcibly stole a Honda CRV on October 13, 2022. The carjacking wasn’t a simple theft; Johnson brandished a handgun, directly threatening the victim during the commission of the crime. The brazen act has now landed him in federal court, facing the full weight of the law.

The feds aren’t messing around. On the carjacking charge alone, Johnson faces a maximum of fifteen years imprisonment, alongside a hefty fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three years of supervised release post-sentence, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee. But the gun charge carries even more severe consequences. Brandishing a firearm during a violent crime adds a minimum of seven years to a maximum of life in prison, to be served consecutively with any other sentence. He could also be hit with another $250,000.00 fine, five years of supervised release, and yet another $100.00 assessment.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans, speaking through a Department of Justice release, touted the case as a win for “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) – a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime by coordinating law enforcement efforts at all levels. While the program’s lofty goals are commendable, the reality on New Orleans streets remains stubbornly violent. PSN focuses on fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention groups, and strategic enforcement. The question remains: will this conviction actually make a dent in the city’s crime rate?

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) worked together to build the case against Johnson. The ATF’s involvement underscores the federal government’s commitment to tackling gun-related crime, a particularly sensitive issue in a city plagued by high rates of gun violence. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Haller is prosecuting the case, leaving no room for negotiation.

Johnson’s sentencing date hasn’t been set, but the outcome seems all but certain. This case serves as a stark reminder that armed carjacking won’t be tolerated, and those who choose to terrorize others with firearms will face serious federal penalties. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments as they unfold.

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