Blood gang member, army specialist receives shorter sentence due to military service

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An army specialist served his nation overseas, and the United Blood Nation Gang in Charlotte. Monday morning, the soldier received a shorter prison sentence because of his military history.

Army Speciaist Latif Johnson was able to reduce his sentence by up to a year because of his service in the military.

Johnson was charged with racketeering and committed the crime while he was in the military.

A federal judge sentenced Johnson to a year and a half in federal prison and two years probation. He could have received up to a year longer in prison.

Eighty-three United Blood Nation Gang members were rounded up in and around Charlotte in May 2017.

Channel 9 has been investigating Johnson's case since he was arrested as soon as he landed in New York, where he flew in from Qatar.

In 2014, Johnson said the military is what kept him away from gang life.

"I'm serving my country," Johnson said.

Prosecutors argued in court Monday Johnson's time in the military is a disservice because of he kept his ties with the blood gang.

Johnson's attorney said Johnson joined the army to cut ties with the gang he felt forced to join when he was 9-years-old.

Johnson's army sergeant spoke on Johnson's behalf in court Monday saying he volunteered for a mission in Afghanistan and put himself in harms way and took his job as a parachute rigger seriously.

The sergeant also added Johnson is on "The Top of the List" of soldiers he's worked with in his 10 years.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Woman hit by gunfire during officer-involved shooting in Gastonia
• Swimmer dies in rough conditions off North Carolina's Outer Banks 
• Man's Belmont Air BnB rental home vandalized; believes it was racially motivated 
• WATCH: Keith Monday's Monday forecast outlook 
• Ex-girlfriend of former Catawba deputy seeks $750K from county 

Cox Media Group