Department of Justice

NEW ORLEANS — On March 14, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown sentenced Laird Johnson, 25, of New Orleans, to 57 months' imprisonment for theft of a firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee, possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a stolen firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court records, during a search of& Johnson's home on Aug. 10, 2021, three firearms were recovered, including a Zastava Arms 7.62 Rifle, a Glock Model 19, 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun and ammunition as well as a Glock Model 19X, 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun, which was stolen from a Federal Firearms licensee. He further possessed a firearm on July 23, 2021. Johnson is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his previous felony convictions in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court for aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and simple burglary.

Judge Brown also sentenced Johnson to serve three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment, and a $500 mandatory special assessment fee.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New Orleans Police Department and the Kenner Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

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