A bicyclist arrested in Cedar Grove in June 2017 when he was found to be in illegal possession of a firearm after a foot chase by officers was convicted in Caddo District Court Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

Leavern Johnson III, 23 of Shreveport, was cycling on the wrong side of the West 71st Street without lights late June 7, 2017, when he was spotted by Shreveport Police patrol officers. Using lights and sirens, the officers attempted to stop Johnson, but instead of complying he sped toward Linwood Avenue, eventually abandoning his bicycle and fleeing on foot. Near the end of the foot chase, Johnson reached into his waistband and pulled out what later was found to be a Glock semi-automatic handgun, tossing it into the grass as he fled. The gun, when retrieved, was found to have an extended magazine containing numerous rounds.

The jury in District Judge Katherine Dorroh’s court returned a unanimous guilty verdict. When Johnson returns to face Judge Dorroh for sentencing January 23, 2019, he faces a prison term of from 10 to 40 years, rather than the usual 10 to 20 years, as a third or subsequent offender subject to enhanced sentencing under the habitual offender law.

Johnson was defended by David McClatchey. Prosecutors were Assistant District Attorneys Mallory Richard and Jason Waltman.