NEW ORLEANS, LA – Laird Johnson, 25, of New Orleans is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 57 months for a string of firearms offenses. Chief U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown delivered the sentence on March 14, following a case built by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New Orleans Police Department, and the Kenner Police Department.
The charges against Johnson stem from incidents in July and August of 2021. A search of his home on August 10th turned up three firearms, including a Zastava Arms 7.62 Rifle, a Glock Model 19 9-millimeter handgun, and ammunition. Crucially, investigators also discovered a stolen Glock Model 19X, 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun, traced back to a theft from a licensed firearms dealer.
Johnson’s prior criminal history played a significant role in the sentencing. Court records show he was already prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous felony convictions in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. Those convictions included aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and simple burglary – a clear pattern of disregard for the law.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri, of the General Crimes Unit, successfully prosecuted the case. The government presented evidence proving Johnson illegally possessed the firearms despite his status as a convicted felon and that he knowingly possessed stolen property. The evidence clearly demonstrated a blatant disregard for federal and state laws regarding firearms.
Beyond the prison sentence, Judge Brown ordered Johnson to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his 57-month term. He was also assessed a $500 mandatory special assessment fee. This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaborative law enforcement efforts.
PSN, recently bolstered by a new DOJ strategy launched in May 2021, emphasizes building trust with communities, supporting local organizations working to prevent violence, and strategically prioritizing enforcement efforts. While programs like PSN often tout community engagement, the outcome for Johnson highlights the hard reality: those who illegally possess firearms, especially repeat offenders, will face serious federal consequences. The ATF’s New Orleans Field Division was integral to the investigation and subsequent prosecution.
Related Federal Cases
- James Johnson, Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon, California 2022 · Florida
- James Johnson, Firearms Possession, California 2022 · Louisiana
- Kerméric Johnson, Firearms Charge, Louisiana 2015 · Illinois
- Jarren Lee, Illegal Firearms Possession, New Orleans LA, 2024 · Louisiana
- Derrick Johnson, Gun Violation, New Orleans LA, 2023 · Louisiana
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