Eric Johnson.Photo: Sporting News via Getty
Former NFL player Eric D. Johnson was among eight defendants indicted this month on a slew of charges in Georgia as part of a multi-county crackdown on human trafficking and violent gang-related activity, authorities said.
Johnson, 46, and seven other alleged “LOTTO” gang members are facing charges of trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act, conspiracy to violate the racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act (RICO), aggravated assault and kidnapping, Attorney General Chris Carr said in a Feb. 16press release.
All eight suspects were indicted on Feb. 8.
Johnson is believed to have held a leadership role in the operation, which according to prosecutors, engaged in the human trafficking of four women and one underage girl. All six men and two women are accused of using the proceeds to support their members and purchase weapons and other property.
Gwinnett County
“Throughout our state, gangs are actively engaged in human trafficking as a primary means to make money, and we are using all available resources to fight back and protect our most vulnerable,” A.G. Carr said in the release.
“By combining the strengths of our Human Trafficking and Gang Prosecution Units, we are working to ensure that those who lead, promote, and encourage this unlawful activity are vigorously pursued and held accountable for their actions. This indictment is just the latest outcome in our ongoing efforts to keep our children and our families safe as we seek to root out violent crime wherever it occurs.”
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An ex-linebacker, Johnson is best known for blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown for the Oakland Raiders in the 2003 Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He spent the majority of his professional football career with theRaiders, beginning in 2000, and played in 55 games with the team.
Johnson then signed with the Atlanta Falcons for a year before joining the Arizona Cardinals for his final season with the NFL in 2005.
It is unclear if Johnson has entered a plea to the charges or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.
source: people.com
