A New Orleans man has pleaded guilty to charges of carjacking and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Xavier Johnson, 24, entered the plea on July 22, 2025.
Johnson admitted guilt to two counts from an indictment: carjacking under 18 U.S.C. §2119(2) and felon in possession of a firearm under 18 U.S.C. §§922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). For the carjacking charge, Johnson faces up to 25 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. The firearm charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment, another possible $250,000 fine, up to three years supervised release, and an additional $100 assessment fee. Sentencing is scheduled for October 14, 2025.
The incident occurred on January 20, 2020. Officers from the New Orleans Police Department responded to an armed robbery and shooting at a residence on Laharpe Street. They found the victim with a gunshot wound to his leg. According to police reports, two men wearing dark clothing approached as the victim exited his vehicle; both were armed and ordered him and his girlfriend out of the car.
The victim heard gunfire and returned fire with his own weapon before being shot by Johnson. Both suspects then fled on foot. Officers recovered firearms at the scene.
During their investigation, officers learned that Johnson had checked into University Medical Center seeking treatment for gunshot wounds sustained during the incident. A gunshot residue test performed on Johnson produced a presumptive positive result linking him further to the crime scene. He was arrested after surgery and transported from the hospital to jail.
The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities across all levels nationwide (https://www.justice.gov/psn). In May 2021, the Department introduced new strategies for PSN focused on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations locally, prioritizing targeted enforcement actions against violent offenders or groups driving violence rates higher than average elsewhere regionally/nationally—and tracking measurable outcomes over time (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-launches-violent-crime-reduction-strategy-strengthen-project-safe).
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives worked alongside local police during this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Dawkins is prosecuting.
