Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Memphis, TN – Shuntario Johnson, 38, has been sentenced to 371 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, carjacking and aiding and abetting an attempted robbery. Overall, a five members and associates of an armed robbery crew and drug trafficking organization have been sentenced to a total of 1,143 months imprisonment for their various roles in a drug conspiracy, possession of a firearms in furtherance of a Violent Crimes and Drug Trafficking Crimes, carjacking and being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentences today.

On August 8, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an 11-count fifth superseding indictment against the following individuals:

Marcus Danner, 39

Quintez Agnew, 34

Shuntario Johnson, 38

John Lott, 30

Crystal Deener. 26

According to information presented in court, Danner, Agnew, Lott, and Johnson were members of an armed robbery crew that targeted narcotics traffickers in the Memphis area. The indictment followed a four-month investigation involving agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as well as other state and local agencies, in which Johnson and his co-defendants were alleged to have participated

in a conspiracy to rob drug dealers in Memphis. Lott and Deener were also indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to tamper with evidence in the case. During the investigation,

agents seized multiple firearms, approximately $2,000 in U.S. currency, and approximately 28 grams of crack cocaine. See announcement of original indictment.

On September 9, 2019, Shuntario Johnson demanded a jury trial on the fifth superseding indictment. Accordingly, the United States presented the following proof at trial:

On January 09, 2018, the victim "R.S." drove Johnson and an unknown male subject, identified as Johnson’s brother-in-law, to acquire marijuana from an apartment complex in Memphis, Tennessee. After acquiring the marijuana, "R.S." stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Castalia Street and East Mclemore at which time Johnson who was in the front seat, displayed a silver semi-automatic handgun and pointed it at "R.S." head and said "give me what you got." "R.S." stated that the second suspect, sitting in the back seat, also pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun and pointed it at the victim. "R.S." advised Memphis Police Department officers that he gave the suspects his wallet and five dollars and was ordered out of the vehicle. "R.S." stated that once he exited his vehicle he began to run on foot as Johnson exited the vehicle, Johnson fired "multiple shots" at "R.S."

At the crime scene, MPD officers recovered two 9mm shell casings at the location of the shooting. A ballistics examination of the two 9mm shell casings from the crime scene were compared to a firearm recovered from Johnson on January 25, 2019.

On January 25, 2019, during Johnson’s arrest for his involvement in a drug conspiracy, he pointed a firearm at an ATF Agent then fled from the officers, throwing the firearm to the ground before his apprehension. The firearm was recovered during a search of the area, revealing that the firearm was a 9mm Ruger handgun. A ballistics examination of the firearm and the two shell casings recovered from the crime scene of the carjacking revealed that the 9mm Ruger handgun had fired the bullets and matched the 9mm shell casings. Later, Johnson stated to ATF Agents that Danner had given him the 9mm Ruger handgun.

Evidence was also presented that Danner, Agnew, Lott and Johnson attempted to rob "B.B" of his drug proceeds as stated in count six. During this incident, Johnson shot "V.R." "V.R." was not fatally injured and recovered from the gunshot. However, "V.R." died of an unrelated health issue prior to Johnson’s trial.

Evidence was also presented that Danner, Agnew, Lott and Johnson conspired to rob a stash house of cocaine. On January 25, 2019, Danner, Agnew, Lott and Johnson arrived at a location in Shelby County to rob what they believed to be a drug dealer. During this sting operation by the ATF, Danner, Agnew, Lott and Johnson were arrested.

On September 17, 2019, Johnson was convicted by a jury of counts 2, 3, 4 and 8 of the fifth superseding indictment.

On January 30, 2020, United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., sentenced Johnson to a total sentence of 371 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release for his involvement in these multiple crimes.

On January 10, 2019, John Lott was sentenced to a total sentence of 420 months imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release, by United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr.

On January 16, 2019, Quintez Agnew pled guilty to counts 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10, before United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. However, prior to sentencing, Agnew died of suicide.

On March 1, 2019, Marcus Danner was sentenced to 352 months imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release, by United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/marcus-danner-sentenced-352-months-...

On February 21, 2019, Crystal Deener was sentenced to 1 day time served, followed by two years’ supervised release, by United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr.

U.S. Attorney Dunavant said, "Armed Robbery crews made up of violent felons will NOT continue to terrorize and endanger our communities in West Tennessee with impunity. We use all available law enforcement and prosecutorial resources to pursue, disrupt, and dismantle groups and conspiracies that are most responsible for violence and drug dealing, and to remove dangerous offenders with firearms from our streets. I commend the great investigative work of ATF and our local partners in neutralizing this violent recidivist and this crew of trigger-pullers and traffickers."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MGU) comprised of investigators from the Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry Kitchen and Gregory Allen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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