Orlando Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Courtney Rashon Johnson (43, Orlando) to 17 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Due to his prior multiple felony convictions, he qualified for an increased penalty under the Armed Career Criminal Act. The court also ordered Johnson to forfeit the .38-caliber revolver and ammunition used during the offense.

A federal jury had convicted Johnson on July 24, 2018.

According to testimony presented at trial, Johnson was carrying a firearm and fleeing from a scene where gunshots had been fired, when he encountered multiple detectives from the Orlando Police Department. When the detectives ordered him to drop to the ground, Johnson complied, tossing aside a .38-caliber revolver that he had been carrying. At the time, Johnson had multiple prior felony convictions and, therefore was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Orlando Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception in 2001. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.