Former NFLer Eric Johnson sentenced for human trafficking with LOTTO gang

Former NFL player Eric Johnson has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for human trafficking and pimping tied to a terrifying gang known as LOTTO.

Johnson, a defensive back who played six years in the league, including the 2003 Super Bowl, was one of nine sentenced for their role in the gang, which has ties to national Crips and Gangster Disciples and whose moniker stands for the “Last One To Take Over Gang.”

“This is a criminal network that trafficked a child to make money, and we went after all those involved – taking down the gang’s leaders, associates, and the entire LOTTO operation,” Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said.

“We’re fighting each day to protect our most vulnerable Georgians, and we won’t rest until every predator and violent criminal is held accountable.”

Johnson, now 49, had stints with the Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals, with his final season in 2005.

He and his eight other co-defendants were indicted in 2023 following a lengthy investigation after a shooting involving two other defendants — Sean Harvey and Sean Curry.

The gang was found to have held women against their will through threats of violence — and used them to make money to support their members and to purchase weapons.

He pleaded guilty to gang, racketeering and pimping charges and was sentenced to 20 years, with the first 10 years to be served in prison. The remainder of his sentence will be served on strict probation.

The Nebraska graduate had joined the Oakland Raiders and spent four seasons there from 2000 to 2003. 

He famously returned Tim Johnson’s blocked punt for a touchdown in the Raiders’ Super Bowl XXXVII loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003.

Johnson later suited up with the Atlanta Falcons for a season in 2004 and then the Arizona Cardinals in 2005, his final season.