Habitual-criminal status sought for Johnson

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Kim Smith

Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002 | 9:16 a.m.

A Clark County prosecutor intends to ask a judge to declare Donell Johnson a habitual criminal in the wake of the 27-year-old's conviction Monday in a robbery of the casino at Treasure Island.

If District Judge John McGroarty grants Deputy District Attorney Phil Brown's request, Johnson could face a no-parole life sentence on each of the five charges for which he was convicted.

Non-habitual criminals convicted of armed robbery traditionally are sentenced to four to 30 years, Brown said.

After deliberating about five hours Monday the jury found Johnson guilty of robbery with use of a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery, burglary with use of a deadly weapon and two counts of battery.