{{Short description|American football player (born 1969)}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography |name=Carlton Johnson |image= |number=32, 19<ref name="Pfa">{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/j/john05700.html | title=CARLTON JOHNSON | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=22 July 2025}}</ref> |position=Defensive back |birth_date={{birth date and age|1969|10|13}} |birth_place=Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |height_ft=5 |height_in=10 |weight_lbs=190 |high_school=Rancho {{nowrap|(North Las Vegas, Nevada)}} |college=UNLV (1987–1991) |undraftedyear=1992 |pastteams= * Las Vegas Sting ({{AFL Year|1994}}) * Shreveport Pirates ({{AFL Year|1994}}–{{NFL Year|1995}}) * Anaheim Piranhas ({{AFL Year|1996}}–{{AFL Year|1997}}) * Albany Firebirds ({{AFL Year|1998}}) |highlights= * First-team All-Arena (1994) * Second-team All-Arena (1996) * 2× First-team All-Big West (1990–1991) |aflstatlabel1=Tackles |aflstatvalue1=184.5 |aflstatlabel2=Interceptions |aflstatvalue2=7 |aflstatlabel3=Pass breakups |aflstatvalue3=35 |aflstatlabel4=Forced fumbles |aflstatvalue4=3 |aflstatlabel5=Total touchdowns |aflstatvalue5=2 |afl=826 }} '''Carleton Elijah Johnson''' (born October 13, 1969), known as '''Carlton Johnson''', is an American former professional football defensive back and convicted murderer. He played four seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL) with the Las Vegas Sting, Anaheim Piranhas, and Albany Firebirds, and two seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Shreveport Pirates. He played college football at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he was a two-time first-team All-Big West Conference selection. He joined the AFL in 1994 and earned first-team All-Arena honors during his rookie season. After two years as a starter in the CFL, Johnson returned to the AFL in 1996 and garnered second-team All-Arena recognition. His pro football career was plagued by injuries. He had left knee injuries for three straight years from 1995 to 1997 and suffered a career-ending spinal injury in 1998. In 2007, Johnson was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison for killing three of his family members.
==Early life and college== Carleton Elijah Johnson was born on October 13, 1969, in Las Vegas, Nevada.<ref name="Pfa"/><ref name="Sun"/> He attended Rancho High School in North Las Vegas, Nevada.<ref name="Pfa"/>
In February 1987, Johnson committed to play college football for the UNLV Rebels of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal/177261255/ | title=NIAA pulls welcome mat from California schools | work=Reno Gazette-Journal | date=February 18, 1987 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | pages=3B}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star/181858223/ | title=Nevada-Las Vegas roster | work=Lincoln Journal Star | date=September 30, 1988 | accessdate=27 September 2025 | pages=25}}</ref> He was a three-year letterman for the Rebels from 1989 to 1991.<ref name="Pfa"/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times/177248042/ | title=Pirates make room at quarterback | work=The Times | date=August 24, 1994 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | author=Heitholt, Kent | pages=1C}}</ref> He had three interceptions for 52 yards in 1990 and four interceptions for no yards in 1991.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/carlton-johnson-1.html | title=Carlton Johnson | publisher=Sports Reference | accessdate=22 July 2025}}</ref> He earned first-team All-Big West Conference honors in 1990 and 1991.<ref name="Sun">{{cite news | url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2005/jun/21/suspect-in-family-slayings-once-worked-with-childr/ | title=Suspect in family slayings once worked with children | work=Las Vegas Sun | date=June 21, 2005 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | author=Lawson, Jen}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 5 | height in = 8 5/8 | weight = 195 | dash = 4.78 | ten split = 1.71 | twenty split = 2.78 | shuttle = 4.38 | vertical = 32.0 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 5 | bench = 10 | arm span = 30 | hand span = 8 7/8 | note = All values from NFL Combine<ref name="combine">{{Cite web |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?f=Carlton&l=Johnson&i=24617 |title=Carlton Johnson Combine Results |publisher=NFLCombineResults.com |access-date=April 11, 2026}}</ref> }}
Johnson was invited to the 1992 NFL Combine as a free safety but performed poorly.<ref name="combine"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://ras.football/ras-information/?PlayerID=2267 | title=Carlton Johnson | publisher=Relative Athletic Score | accessdate=12 April 2026}}</ref> He went undrafted in the 1992 NFL draft and did not sign with any NFL teams.<ref name="Pfa"/>
Johnson signed with the Las Vegas Sting of the Arena Football League (AFL) on April 27, 1994.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-republican/177246417/ | title=Transactions | work=The Republican | date=April 28, 1994 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=22 July 2025 | pages=36}}</ref> He played in 12 games for the Sting during the 1994 season as a defensive specialist, posting 59 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, 11 pass breakups, and five interceptions for 67 yards and one touchdown.<ref name="Af">{{cite web | url=https://www.arenafan.com/players/826/ | title=Carlton Johnson | publisher=ArenaFan.com | accessdate=22 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="Pfa"/> He was named first-team All-Arena for his performance during the 1994 season.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/177247314/ | title=All-Arena League Teams | work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram | date=August 31, 1994 | accessdate=22 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-johnscar004 | title=Carleton Johnson | publisher=Stats Crew | accessdate=22 July 2025}}</ref> The Sting finished the year with a 4–8 record and lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Albany Firebirds by a score of 49–30.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1994arfllv.html | title=1994 Las Vegas Sting (Arena) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=22 July 2025}}</ref>
After the AFL season, Johnson signed with the Shreveport Pirates of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He made his first start at cornerback on September 3, 1994, against the Baltimore CFL's after cornerback Antoine Worthman was moved to halfback to replace the injured Kip Texada.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times/177248539/ | title=New quarterbacks hope to right the Pirates' ship | work=The Times | date=September 2, 1994 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | author=Heitholt, Kent | pages=1C}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leader-post/177248651/ | title=CFLweekend | work=The Leader-Post | date=September 3, 1994 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | pages=F2}}</ref> Johnson dressed in ten games overall during the 1994 season, recording 24 defensive tackles, seven assisted tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, and four pass breakups.<ref name="Pfa"/> In June 1995, it was reported that Johnson had received head coach Forrest Gregg's "seal of approval" to remain the team's starting cornerback.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times/177249374/ | title=Wilkerson wants to end mystery | work=The Times | date=June 19, 1995 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | author=Heitholt, Kent | pages=1C}}</ref> However, Johnson suffered a knee injury in the season opener on a block by San Antonio Texans receiver Joe Kralik.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/red-deer-advocate/177249501/ | title=Pirates scuttled | work=Red Deer Advocate | date=July 2, 1995 | agency=Canadian Press | accessdate=22 July 2025 | pages=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times/177249878/ | title=Final game brings up memories of licking | work=The Times | date=October 17, 1995 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | author=Heitholt, Kent | pages=3C}}</ref> Johnson was then transferred to the injured list.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hattiesburg-american/177249614/ | title=Roster | work=Hattiesburg American | date=July 5, 1995 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | pages=2B}}</ref> Doctors at first contemplated surgery for Johnson but his knee ligaments started to heal on their own, so surgery was not necessary.<ref name="Knee">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times/177250225/ | title=Johnson's knee recovery now complete | work=The Times | date=September 14, 1995 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | author=Heitholt, Kent | pages=4C}}</ref> After more than two months on the injured list, Johnson was activated prior to the September 15 game against Baltimore.<ref name="Knee"/> He dressed in seven games total during the 1995 season, totaling 25 defensive tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups.<ref name="Pfa"/> He became a free agent on February 15, 1996.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator/177250839/ | title=Football | work=The Hamilton Spectator | date=February 15, 1996 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | pages=D4}}</ref>
Upon becoming a free agent, Johnson was activated off of the Anaheim Piranhas' exempt list.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune/177252019/ | title=Transactions | work=Columbia Daily Tribune | date=February 28, 1996 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | pages=2B}}</ref> The Piranhas were formerly the Las Vegas Sting. He decided to sign with the Piranhas in March 1996 instead of trying out for the CFL again due to the fact that the Piranhas' owners, like Johnson, were born again Christians.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/177251119/ | title=Miscellany | work=The Los Angeles Times | date=March 7, 1996 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | pages=C3}}</ref><ref name="lord"/> Johnson stated "I was looking for more than just football this time. Football only lasts for a short time. The Lord will be with me when I'm gone."<ref name="lord">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/177252834/ | title=Piranha Football – Call Them the Lord's Players | work=The Los Angeles Times | date=August 10, 1996 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | author=McKibben, Dave | pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/177253275/ A25], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/177253316/ A26]}}</ref> On June 29 against the Iowa Barnstormers, he injured his left knee on a kickoff return.<ref name="Sideline">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/177254399/ | title=Torn Ligaments Sideline Piranhas' Defensive Back | work=The Los Angeles Times | date=July 3, 1996 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | author=McKibben, Dave | pages=C5}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/177254646/ | title=Piranhas Lose Johnson, Game to Iowa, 56-50 | work=The Los Angeles Times | date=June 30, 1996 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | pages=C12}}</ref> It was the same knee he injured the prior year while in the CFL, with Johnson stating "I kept telling the doctors last year that it wasn't torn and I had to keep telling our doctors the same thing this year.<ref name="Sideline"/> It was expected that he would be activated off of the injured reserve list, but he ended up missing the final four games of the season.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/177255011/ | title=Kopp Is the Piranhas' Choice at Quarterback | work=The Los Angeles Times | date=July 30, 1996 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | author=McKibben, Dave | pages=C7}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times/177255100/ | title=Piranhas no longer the team they were | work=Tampa Bay Times | date=August 8, 1996 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | author=Cotey, John C. | pages=8C}}</ref> Johnson played in ten games overall for the Piranhas in 1996, recording 46 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, and three pass breakups while also returning four kicks for 76 yards.<ref name="Pfa"/><ref name="Af"/> Anaheim finished the year 9–5 and lost in the first round to the Tampa Bay Storm by a margin of 30–16.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1996arflana.html | title=1996 Anaheim Piranhas (Arena) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=22 July 2025}}</ref> Johnson garnered second-team All-Arena recognition for the 1996 season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=826&pageview=bio | title=Carlton Johnson | publisher=ArenaFan.com | accessdate=22 July 2025}}</ref> Johnson appeared in the first three games of the 1997 season before suffering a left knee ligament injury for the third year in a row.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/177256054/ | title=Barnstormers aim to stay on top in Central Division | work=The Des Moines Register | date=May 31, 1997 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | pages=5S}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/177255927/ | title=Piranhas Suffering Continues to Grow | work=The Los Angeles Times | date=June 15, 1997 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | author=McKibben, Dave | pages=C14}}</ref><ref name="Pfa"/> He was placed on injured reserve again on May 22, 1997.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-stuart-news/177255543/ | title=Transactions | work=The Stuart News | date=May 23, 1997 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | pages=C2}}</ref>
Johnson played in ten games for the Albany Firebirds of the AFL in 1998, posting 38 solo tackles, 29 assisted tackles, three forced fumbles, and 19 pass breakups.<ref name="Pfa"/><ref name="Af"/> On July 13, 1998, against the Arizona Rattlers, Johnson suffered a spinal injury after he was accidentally hit on the left side of the head while attempting to make a tackle.<ref name="Para"/><ref name="Spinal"/> Johnson was paralyzed for about five minutes and hospitalized.<ref name="Para"/> He regained feeling in his extremities after being taken to the hospital, where X-rays were negative.<ref name="Spinal">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ann-arbor-news/177257154/ | title=Arena football player suffers spinal injury | work=The Ann Arbor News | date=July 14, 1998 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | pages=B2}}</ref> He then retired from football after doctors warned him he could be paralyzed for life if he was hit again.<ref name="Para">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/177256534/ | title=Short paralysis is scary enough | work=The Orlando Sentinel | date=July 25, 1998 | accessdate=22 July 2025 | author=Greene, Jerry | pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/177256661/ B6]}}</ref>
==Personal life== Johnson was later a volunteer football coach and substitute teacher at Cheyenne High School in North Las Vegas.<ref name="Murder">{{cite news | url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/three-killings-bring-man-60-years-to-life/ | title=Three killings bring man 60 years to life | work=Las Vegas Review-Journal | date=July 24, 2007 | accessdate=22 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="Sun"/> On June 1, 2005, he was served with a notice of financial responsibility after a complaint was filed by his son's mother.<ref name="Sun"/> He also had an ongoing child support dispute with a different woman.<ref name="Sun"/> On June 18, 2005, Johnson shot to death his 5-year-old son, 38-year-old brother, and 6-year-old niece at the family's shared apartment.<ref name="Murder"/><ref name="Guilty">{{cite news | url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/man-guilty-in-slayings-of-son-two-others-in-05/ | title=Man guilty in slayings of son, two others in ’05 | work=Las Vegas Review-Journal | date=May 19, 2007 | accessdate=22 July 2025}}</ref> He drove away from the apartment and parked at a car wash.<ref name="Sun"/> He then walked to another apartment complex, where he robbed a woman with a shotgun and ran away.<ref name="Sun"/> Johnson later got into a fistfight with some men and was then arrested.<ref name="Sun"/> After his arrest, he was sent to a state mental health facility where he received medication to treat a delusional disorder.<ref name="Murder"/> Neighbors reported that Johnson had been known to leave his apartment door open and sit on his couch with a shotgun in order to "protect" his Ford Mustang.<ref name="Sun"/> In July 2007, he was convicted of three counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to 60 years to life in prison.<ref name="Murder"/> He was also sentenced to an additional 12 years for the robbery.<ref name="Murder"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=johnscar004 Stats Crew profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Carlton}} Category:Living people Category:1969 births Category:American football defensive backs Category:Canadian football defensive backs Category:UNLV Rebels football players Category:Las Vegas Sting players Category:Shreveport Pirates players Category:Anaheim Piranhas players Category:Albany Firebirds players Category:Players of American football from Las Vegas Category:Players of Canadian football from Las Vegas Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen Category:20th-century American sportsmen Category:High school football coaches in Nevada Category:Coaches of American football from Nevada Category:21st-century American murderers Category:American people convicted of murder Category:American murderers of children Category:American people convicted of robbery Category:American prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment Category:People convicted of murder by Nevada Category:Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by Nevada