Jonathan Johnson Versus State of Louisiana

JONATHAN JOHNSON NO. 25-KH-462

VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT

STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL

STATE OF LOUISIANA

October 07, 2025

Linda Tran
First Deputy Clerk

IN RE JONATHAN JOHNSON

APPLYING FOR SUPERVISORY WRIT FROM THE TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT,
PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, DIRECTED TO THE HONORABLE DONALD A.
ROWAN, JR., DIVISION "L", NUMBER 02-3243

Panel composed of Judges Stephen J. Windhorst,
John J. Molaison, Jr., and Scott U. Schlegel

WRIT DENIED

In his self-represented application, the relator, Jonathan Johnson, seeks
review of the trial court’s denial of his most recent Motion to Correct Illegal
Sentence.

On December 18, 2002, a jury found the relator guilty as charged of armed
robbery in violation of La. R.S. 14:64. On January 23, 2003, the trial court
sentenced the relator to forty-one years imprisonment at hard labor without the
benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. After the filing of a
multiple offender bill of information, the trial court adjudicated the relator a third
felony offender. On February 25, 2003, the trial court vacated the original sentence
of forty-one years. It sentenced the relator to sixty-six years imprisonment at hard
labor without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. The
relator filed a motion to appeal, and this Court affirmed his sentence and
conviction on October 28, 2003. State v. Johnson, 03-620 (La. App. 5 Cir.
10/28/03), 860 So.2d 180, writ denied, 03-3171 (La. 3/19/04), 869 So.2d 849.

After his sentence and conviction became final, the relator filed multiple
applications for post-conviction relief (APCR) that were denied by both the trial
court and this Court.1 On April 24, 2025, the relator filed his most recent APCR,
claiming that his habitual offender sentence is illegal. The trial court denied the
relator’s APCR on June 24, 2025, after ordering the State’s response. In relevant
parts, the court found that his claim was not cognizable in a motion to correct an
illegal sentence, as the relator had not pointed to an unlawful term in his sentence.
The court also found the relator’s constitutional challenges to his multiple offender

1
Notably, we previously addressed the legality of the relator’s sentence in State v. Johnson, 13-742 (La.
App. 5 Cir. 10/11/13) (unpublished writ) and State v. Johnson, 18-605 (La. App. 5 Cir. 1/15/19) (unpublished writ).

adjudication and sentencing to be untimely under La. R.S. 15:529.1(D)(1)(a) and
(b). Finally, the court found that the relator is not entitled to relief, even if it were
to consider the merits of the APCR. The trial court denied the relator’s motion to
reconsider his APCR on August 19, 2025.

The relator’s application does not contain evidence that he mailed a copy of
his notice of intent to the State, as required by Louisiana Rules, Courts of Appeal
Rules 4-2, and it also does not show that the trial court set a return date as required
by Louisiana Rules, Courts of Appeal Rules 4-3. Nevertheless, after a review of
the writ application, we find no error in the trial court’s denial of his motion to
correct an illegal sentence. His APCR does not point to an illegal term in his
sentence, and his claims about predicate offenses are untimely under La. R.S.
15:529.1(D)(1).2 We also find no error in the trial court’s conclusion that the
relator’s arguments fail on the merits. Accordingly, we deny relief based on the
showing made.

Gretna, Louisiana, this 7th day of October, 2025.

JJM
SJW
SUS

2
That provision states, in part, “[a]ny challenge to a previous conviction which is not made before sentence is
imposed may not thereafter be raised to attack the sentence.”

SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL

CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT

SUSAN S. BUCHHOLZ
FREDERICKA H. WICKER
CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK
JUDE G. GRAVOIS
MARC E. JOHNSON
STEPHEN J. WINDHORST LINDA M. TRAN
JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR.
FIRST DEPUTY CLERK
SCOTT U. SCHLEGEL
TIMOTHY S. MARCEL FIFTH CIRCUIT
MELISSA C. LEDET
JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053)
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF
POST OFFICE BOX 489
GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054 (504) 376-1400

(504) 376-1498 FAX
www.fifthcircuit.org

NOTICE OF DISPOSITION CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY
I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE DISPOSITION IN THE FOREGOING MATTER HAS BEEN
TRANSMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 4-6 THIS
DAY 10/07/2025 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, THE TRIAL COURT CLERK OF COURT, AND AT LEAST ONE OF
THE COUNSEL OF RECORD FOR EACH PARTY, AND TO EACH PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY
COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:

25-KH-462
E-NOTIFIED
24th Judicial District Court (Clerk)
Honorable Donald A. Rowan, Jr. (DISTRICT JUDGE)
Thomas J. Butler (Respondent)

MAILED
Jonathan Johnson #119406 (Relator)
Rayburn Correctional Center
27268 Highway 21
Angie, LA 70426