NEW ORLEANS, LA - LAIRD JOHNSON, age 24, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on March 23, 2023 to a five-count indictment alleging violations of the Federal Gun Control Act, Title 18 United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 922(j), 922(u), 924(a)(2), and 924(i)(1), announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.
Count 1 of the indictment charged JOHNSON with theft of a firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee (“FFL"), Counts 2 through 4 charged him with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and Count 5 charged him with possession of a stolen firearm. Court documents reveal JOHNSON did unlawfully take and carry away a Glock Model 19X 9mm semi-automatic handgun from the premises of PDW Solutions, LLC, an FFL on June 19, 2021. He further possessed a firearm on July 23, 2021. During a search of his home on Aug. 10, 2021, three firearms were recovered, including a Zastava Arms 7.62 Rifle, a Glock Model 19 9mm semi-automatic handgun, and the Glock Model 19X 9mm semi-automatic handgun, that was stolen from PDW Solutions, LLC. JOHNSON is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his previous convictions in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court for aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and simple burglary.
Each count carries a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100.00 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 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. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Strauss of the Violent Crimes Unit.