50-year sentence in robbery that left armored car guard dead
NEW ORLEANS LA July 15 2022 A man who pleaded guilty to federal charges in a 2013 armored car robbery that left a guard dead was sentenced Wednesday to 50 years in prison.
Curtis Johnson Jr., 30, of New Orleans, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lance Africk for his role in the December 2013 robbery at a Chase Bank branch in New Orleans’ Carrollton neighborhood, according to court records and a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Loomis armored car guard Hector Trochez died in an exchange of gunfire with the robbers.
Johnson pleaded guilty to robbery, conspiracy and firearm charges in March. He’s the last of six people sentenced in connection with the case.
Prosecutors said Johnson, Lilbear George, Chukwudi Ofomata and Jeremy Esteves, robbed a Loomis armored vehicle as it was making a delivery of approximately $265,000. A witness saw them drive away in one vehicle, then enter another driven by Robert Brumfield III.
Esteves and Brumfield were convicted and sentenced to 50 years, according to the release from U.S. Attorney Duane Evans. George and Ofomata pleaded guilty and received 40-year sentences. A former girlfriend of George received probation for obstructing justice in the case.
