Mercer Man Admits Shooting Federal Agent During Illegal Weapons Sale

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – A Trenton man admitted assaulting a federal agent with a deadly weapon and committing armed robbery during a crackdown on illegal weapons sale, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.

Jabree Johnson, 29, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court on July 31, to an indictment charging 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 relation to a crime of violence, in which the firearm was discharged.

On March 22, 2021, federal agents were investigating firearms trafficking and other illegal activities in and around Trenton and Hamilton when they arranged to purchase multiple firearms from Johnson, according to documents.

After arriving at an agreed-upon location for the firearms transaction, Johnson entered the undercover agent’s vehicle, and handed a black, semi-automatic firearm. The agent inspected the firearm and then returned it to Johnson and requested to see the other firearms that Johnson had agreed to sell, court documents said.

Instead, Johnson pointed the loaded firearm directly at the federal agent and demanded money from him. The federal agent give Johnson the money he had on him to purchase the guns. Johnson then ordered the federal agent out of the vehicle at gunpoint, court documents said.

The agent exited the vehicle and fired at Johnson, striking him in the shoulder. Johnson also fired his handgun multiple times at the agent, according to court documents.

He fled the area with the money and 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. 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. 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.

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