A woman whose mother was murdered during a carjacking in New Orleans in 2018 is speaking out, saying the city still isn’t adequately addressing crime as federal agents prepare to arrive. Jeannot Plessy, 49, was killed in November 2018 when two men carjacked her vehicle while she was picking up her children. Jontrell Robinson, 18, and Edwin Cottrell, 19, both pleaded guilty to manslaughter to avoid a trial for second-degree murder. Robinson received a 30-year sentence, while Cottrell was sentenced to 12 years.
In the incident, Plessy was thrown from her vehicle when Robinson took the driver’s seat. Cottrell waited nearby in a stolen minivan with other teens. Her son-in-law, who was 33 at the time, heard her screams and rushed to assist, which led Robinson to accelerate the car in reverse, ultimately striking and killing Plessy.
Both teenagers also admitted guilt to charges including attempted murder and conspiracy, among others.
As federal immigration enforcement gears up for “Operation Swamp Sweep” in New Orleans, Plessy’s daughter, Nadia Sanchez, expressed concerns that the city isn’t properly monitoring violent crime. “I think the city and our elected officials have not taken the necessary measures against crime,” she remarked. “Their focus seems to be on tourism rather than residents’ safety.” She feels that little has changed in how crime is managed.
“Victims’ experiences almost seem overlooked. It’s the residents who face the aftermath daily,” Sanchez mentioned, reflecting on her own sense of safety in her neighborhood before her mother’s tragic death.
“We never worried about safety. I would take my daughter to the playground after school, and didn’t see my area as dangerous, until everything changed,” she added.
However, she’s uncertain if federal involvement would actually solve New Orleans’ issues, referring to it as a “band-aid” and emphasizing that city officials need to prioritize safety.
“Operation Swamp Sweep” is planned to commence in early December, targeting approximately 5,000 individuals across southeastern Louisiana and Mississippi.
Republican Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry commented on the collaboration with federal authorities to tackle immigration and crime-related problems in the state. “New Orleans has faced significant issues with illegal and criminal activities. Kenner’s police chief has long dealt with violent offenses linked to illegal aliens, and he regularly coordinates with federal entities to address these concerns,” he stated.
