By: Najla Alexander
NJ authorities announced that a Trenton man today admitted assaulting a federal agent with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger stated that Jabree Johnson, 29, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court on July 31, 2024, to an indictment.
Officials said the indictment charged him with one count each of assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, robbery with a dangerous weapon of an individual with custody of federal property, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in which the firearm was discharged.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Officials say on March 22, 2021, federal law enforcement officers were investigating firearms trafficking and other illegal activities in and around Trenton and Hamilton, New Jersey.
A federal law enforcement agent, working in an undercover capacity, arranged to purchase multiple firearms from an individual later identified as Johnson, authorities say.
After arriving at an agreed-upon location for the firearms transaction, Johnson entered the undercover federal agent’s vehicle and handed the agent a black, semi-automatic firearm, according to officials.
The undercover federal agent inspected the firearm and then returned it to Johnson and requested to see the other firearms that Johnson had agreed to sell, officials stated.
According to officials, instead, Johnson pointed the loaded firearm directly at the undercover federal agent and demanded money from the agent.
The undercover federal agent provided Johnson with an amount of U.S. currency that the agent had on him to purchase the guns. Johnson then ordered the undercover federal agent out of the vehicle at gunpoint, officials say.
Authorities say the agent exited the vehicle as ordered and immediately drew a service-issued firearm and fired at Johnson, striking Johnson in the shoulder.
Officials said Johnson also fired his handgun multiple times at the undercover federal agent.
Johnson fled the area with the money, officials stated, and Johnson was later identified at a local hospital as the individual who had assaulted and robbed the undercover federal agent at gunpoint and placed under arrest.
The charge of assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, officials said.
The charge of robbery of federal property with a dangerous weapon carries a maximum potential penalty of 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, officials say.
According to officials, the charge of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, which was discharged, carries a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, which must run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, and a maximum of life imprisonment.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 16, 2025, authorities say.