A Jonesboro woman has pleaded guilty to helping her boyfriend evade firearm laws and acquire a gun he then used to kill a police officer in Nebraska.
Jalita Jenera Johnson, 26, admitted purchasing the Glock pistol and also a 50-round drum magazine in her own name for her boyfriend, Marcus Wheeler. As a convicted felon, Wheeler could not legally purchase the gun.
“Laws which prevent convicted felons from buying guns are designed to protect the public,” said U.S. Attorney John Horn. “This defendant helped a convicted felon circumvent those laws. The tragic consequences and loss of life in this case reinforces the reason we have such strict laws in place.”
Johnson bought the gun, magazine and ammunition at the Arrowhead Pawn Shop in Jonesboro on April 23 for Wheeler, a known gang member, according to federal authorities.
Wheeler killed Omaha Officer Kerrie Orozoco during a gun battle when she and other officers came to his motel room to arrest him on an outstanding warrant on May 20, according to a federal complaint.
Wheeler also died in the shootout.
Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 2 before U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross.
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