Five gang members were sentenced to life in prison for shooting a man 21 times with a rifle and three separate handguns during a nocturnal ambush at his Louisiana house because to gang disrespect.
The men, who were members of the Young and Wreckless gang, learnt their destiny last week after Eugene Jarreau, III, was murdered on January 21, 2021. On February 8, a jury in the 18th Judicial District Court in Pointe Coupee Parish found them guilty after an hour and eight minutes, according to prosecutors.
“We are sending the message that if you are involved in gang activity, even if you are not the shooter, you will be prosecuted,” District Attorney Tony Clayton said. “We are coming after you and we will prosecute to the fullest extent possible.”
Tyzontae J. Davis, 24, Tyler T. Breaux, 21, Nicholas C. Johnson, 22, Dequan D. Johnson, 24, Marlon D. Jones III, 25, and Dequan “Quarter Baby” Johnson were convicted of second-degree murder. Davis was also found guilty of possessing a handgun as a convicted criminal.
Prosecutors claimed Johnson was the gang’s leader and orchestrated the homicide. The group, armed with an AR rifle and three 9 mm handguns, knocked on Jarreau’s door at 1418 Pennsylvania St. in New Roads shortly before 11 p.m. and opened fire.
In a news release, prosecutors stated that they “annihilated the victim to death by shooting him 21 times.”
Prosecutors stated disrespect was one of the motives. However, a second reason was uncovered during the trial: Jones’ sister had nearly died earlier that night from an overdose of medications obtained from the victim, prosecutors claimed.
Investigators linked the gang members to the murder using Instagram, phone records, and jailhouse calls between the accused. According to prosecutors, a gang specialist recognized them based on rap videos, tattoos, apparel, and rap sheets.
Officials said that evidence from other crimes committed by gang members involving weapons used in many murders, including the Jarreau murder, was consistent.
The victim’s sister recalled her brother warmly and discussed closure.