On Thursday, among eight accused of trafficking four women and one girl ,as well as other gang-related charges, is Eric Johnson, who played six seasons in the NFL from 2000-2005. Johnson played for the Raiders and Falcons during his six-year career.
Known as "EJ" in the gang, Johnson is alleged to be a leader, along with two other men. This is why he’s facing the gang terrorism and prevention act charges. According Attorney General Chris Carr, the eight charged are also accused of recruiting people to join the “LOTTO Gang”.
Carr went on to say that, the "LOTTO Gang" members, as they are called, are facing charges of : trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, conspiracy to violate the racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act (RICO), aggravated assault and kidnapping, violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
He also said that all eight members of the gang were uncovered following a month-long investigation. Allegedly they engaged in this illegal activity for money to support their members, as well as purchase weapons, among other things.
Carr also stated that the indictments of the LOTTO gang are extensive. The grand jury, found 41 "predicate and overt acts" that were committed between October 2021 and July 2022. In the indictments, it is said the gang kept women who they trafficked, under control through violence, and held them against their will.
In an interview with Fox 5 News in Atlanta, Carr said-
"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," …and… "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."
-Attorney General Chris Carr
The 46-year-old former NFL player joined the Oakland Raiders out of Nebraska, and he would spend four seasons there from 2000 to 2003. He was best known as a special-teams ace with the team. In the Raiders’ Super Bowl XXXVII loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003, Johnson, returned Tim Johnson’s blocked punt ,for a touchdown.
After leaving the NFL in 2005, Johnson spent time with the Georgia Force for two seasons before calling it a career. Opting to stay in the state, Johnson will now have his official long-term status decided in the coming months.
Wrong decisions can often have life-long consequences.
“Choices made, whether bad or good, follow you forever and affect everyone in their path one way or another.”
-J.E.B. Spredemann