29-Year-Old Trenton Man Pleaded Guilty To Assaulting A Federal Agent With Handgun & Robbing Him

Sunday, August 4, 2024, 7:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

TRENTON, NJ.- On Wednesday, a 29-year-old Trenton, New Jersey, man appeared in U.S. Federal District Court in Trenton and pleaded guilty in connection to robbing and assaulting a federal agent with a firearm during an undercover investigation in March 2021 in Trenton, New Jersey.

     According to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, Jabree Johnson, 29, of Trenton, New Jersey, appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Shipp and entered guilty pleas to one count of Assault on a Federal Officer with a Deadly Weapon; Robbery with a Deadly Weapon; and Using, Carrying, and Discharging a  Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence.

     Sentencing in the matter has been scheduled for January 16, 2024, in New Jersey U.S. Federal District Court in Trenton, at which time Johnson will face 20 years in federal prison for the assault on a federal officer, 25 years to life robbery of a federal agent, with a mandatory minimum of 10 years. In accordance to Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the sentence of robbery with a deadly weapon must run consecutive to any other sentence imposed.

     According to documents filed with the court on March 22, 2021, federal agents were investigating firearms trafficking and other illegal activities in and around the Trenton and Hamilton, New Jersey areas. A federal agent working undercover arranged to purchase multiple firearms from an individual identified as Johnson.

    After arriving at a pre-arranged location, Johnson entered the undercover agent’s vehicle and handed the agent a black semi-automatic firearm. The agent inspected the firearm and handed it back to Johnson, and requested to see other firearms that Johnson had agreed to sell.

     Instead, Johnson pulled out and pointed a loaded firearm directly at the federal agent and demanded money. The agent complied and gave Johnson U.S. currency that the agent had on him to purchase the guns. The agent was then ordered undercover agent out of the vehicle at gunpoint. The agent exited the vehicle as ordered and immediately drew his service weapon, and fired at Johnson, striking Johnson in the shoulder.

     Johnson then fired his handgun multiple times in the direction of the agent; Johnson then fled the area with the money. A short time later, Johnson arrived at a nearby hospital for treatment and was identified as the individual who assaulted and robbed the undercover agent at gunpoint. Johnson was placed under arrest at the hospital, and following being treated, he was taken into federal custody.