Leader of "cemetery theft" ring sentenced Judge chastises leader of cemetery thieves

Carl Johnson, 28, of Miramar, Fl., was charged with engaging in organized crime after investigators from Florida, Dallas and Texas pieced together a massive identity theft case criss-crossing the Gulf Coast for more than two years. less Carl Johnson, 28, of Miramar, Fl., was charged with engaging in organized crime after investigators from Florida, Dallas and Texas pieced together a massive identity theft case criss-crossing the Gulf Coast ... more Photo: Houston Police Department Photo: Houston Police Department Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Leader of "cemetery theft" ring sentenced 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A ringleader of a gang that stole purses and wallets out of unlocked cars while mourners were in area cemeteries was sentenced Friday to 16 years in prison.

Carl Johnson, 28, of Miramar, Fl., was charged with engaging in organized crime after investigators from Florida, Dallas and Texas pieced together a massive identity theft case criss-crossing the Gulf Coast for more than two years.

Johnson pleaded guilty earlier this year and threw himself on the mercy of the court. He had been facing up to life in prison.

Prosecutors said the gang stole purses, wallets and phones from thousands of cars at cemeteries and at daycare centers.

Assistant Harris County District Attorney Chris Handley said the gang cleared $30,000-$40,000 a week by stealing ATM cards and forging checks.

He said the gang hit cemeteries all over Houston before getting caught. A map of all of the crime scenes would ring the city like Beltway 8, he said.

Handley also said the gang arrived in Texas, first Dallas then Houston, after police in Florida started investigating them.

Several witnesses testified Friday that probation was not appropriate.

"I just think it's ghoulish for anybody to something like that," said white-haired Barbara Jackson. "Somebody who does something like that has no conscience."

The gang was able to steal more than $8,000 from Jackson before her accounts were blocked.

She broke down on the stand as she described being stolen from as she put flowers on her mother's grave.

"They took my phone with all the pictures of my mother," she cried.

Before handing down the sentence, visiting state District Judge Terry Flenniken chastised Johnson for taking a criminal path despite being "bright and articulate."

The judge also said he was considering the emotional trauma of victims who had their lives upended and their memories stolen. Four other people have been convicted in the scheme.

Defense attorney Tara Long had argued for probation and said Johnson admitted responsibility and had shown remorse.

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