Robert Lee Johnson Jr., a 43-year-old Port Arthur, Texas man, is headed to federal prison for 44 months after being caught with a loaded semi-automatic handgun—illegal due to his prior felony convictions. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark, marks the latest blow against gun violence in the Eastern District of Texas.
Johnson pleaded guilty on October 31, 2017, to being a felon in possession of a firearm, a charge stemming from a February 22, 2016, search warrant executed at his residence on 5th Avenue in Port Arthur. Law enforcement agents discovered not just the loaded weapon, but also drug paraphernalia, a digital scale, ammunition, and Johnson’s own prisoner identification card—evidence that sealed his fate.
Court documents reveal Johnson has a long history of felony convictions, including multiple counts of possession of cocaine. Under federal law, those convictions strip him of any right to own or possess firearms or ammunition. Despite that, he was found with a fully operational, loaded handgun in his home—putting neighbors and law enforcement at risk.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall L. Fluke and was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods—a nationwide initiative targeting illegal gun possession and gang-related violence. The program leverages federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships to crack down on repeat offenders and deter violent crime in high-risk communities.
Investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with support from the Port Arthur Police Department and the Jefferson County Crime Lab. Their joint efforts uncovered the illegal firearm and tied it directly to Johnson, leading to a federal indictment on August 10, 2017.
U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown emphasized the administration’s commitment to removing illegal guns from the streets. “Convicted felons with firearms endanger public safety,” Brown said. “This sentence sends a clear message: if you’re a felon and you’re caught with a gun, federal prison is waiting.”
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