Ex-New Orleans police officer enters guilty plea in case involving murder of fellow officer

Officer Wardell Johnson was among several NOPD officers who responded to the initial police call involving accused cop-killer Travis Boys. Johnson has been placed on emergency suspension.

by: Jeff Hamburger

Posted: Oct 21, 2015 / 11:43 AM AST

Updated: Oct 21, 2015 / 12:13 PM AST

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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Former New Orleans police officer Wardell Johnson pleaded guilty on Wednesday to three charges stemming from his involvement in the case of murdered fellow NOPD Officer Daryle Holloway.

Johnson entered guilty pleas to two counts of obstruction of justice and one count of malfeasance in office.

He could spend up to 40 years in prison.

Officer Daryle Holloway was murdered on June 20 by a suspect he was transporting. Detectives say Travis Boys shot and killed Holloway through a port in the divider of Holloway’s police car as he was being transported to Orleans Parish Prison.

Investigators believe Johnson along with other officers failed to find a .40-caliber handgun that Boys had hidden on his person at the time of his arrest.

Boys is currently facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of Officer Holloway. A charge for which he has pleaded not guilt.

Johnson was arrested after it was discovered that he threw a box of bullets into a canal in New Orleans East that should have been entered into evidence and lying about it to fellow officers when questioned.

Johnson was released on bond after Wednesday’s guilty plea.

He is due back in court for sentencing on January 22, 2016.