Gunrunner Johnson Gets 5 Years, Names Ex-Cop in Shooting

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Timothy D. Johnson, 41, of Washington, Pennsylvania, is headed to federal prison for five years after being convicted on 11 federal firearms charges, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today. The sentence, handed down by United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon, includes a two-year period of supervised release following incarceration. Johnson will also forfeit a cache of illegal weapons, including a Sten machine gun and multiple silencers.

The case against Johnson dates back to at least 2008, when he knowingly sold a firearm to a convicted felon. The investigation, spearheaded by the FBI, uncovered a pattern of unlawful possession and transfer of silenced weapons and a fully automatic machine gun between December 5, 2010, and October 14, 2011. Crucially, much of the evidence gathered consisted of audio and video recordings, capturing Johnson’s illegal dealings in damning detail.

During the investigation, Johnson brazenly boasted about his ability to manufacture silencers and fully automatic weapons. The gravity of his actions came into sharper focus when, after his arrest, he confessed that the firearms and silencer he transferred on May 18, 2011, were directly used in a drive-by shooting that April. A car parked outside a Washington County residence was targeted, and one bullet even struck the house itself. Miraculously, no one was injured, but the incident revealed a disturbing level of recklessness. Even more shockingly, Johnson claimed that former East Washington Police Chief Donald Solomon was the instigator behind the shooting.

FBI Special Agent James Shearer’s testimony painted a disturbing picture of a planned criminal enterprise. According to Shearer, Johnson and Solomon were allegedly planning to form a “home invasion” team, targeting homeowners for cash and drugs. Solomon, leveraging his position as Police Chief, was intended to provide crucial background information on potential targets and, chillingly, offer “cover” during the invasions. The FBI’s recorded conversations were key to revealing this alleged conspiracy.

Judge Bissoon didn’t mince words before sentencing. She dismissed Johnson’s attempts to challenge the evidence as “unpersuasive” and “disingenuous,” signaling her lack of sympathy for his defense. Assistant United States Attorney Margaret E. Picking successfully prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. This conviction is the result of a massive collaborative effort involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and several other state and federal agencies, including the Pennsylvania State Police and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the interagency cooperation that led to the successful prosecution of Johnson. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by illegal firearms trafficking and the potential for corruption within law enforcement. The investigation into the alleged involvement of former Police Chief Solomon remains ongoing, raising questions about the extent of his alleged criminal activity.