Felon Kyle Johnson Gets 16 Years for Meth, Gun Crimes

Grimy Times investigates: Kyle William Johnson, a 35-year-old man from Mandan, North Dakota, has been sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in federal prison for his role in a series of crimes involving methamphetamine and firearms.

On May 3, 2024, Johnson appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Daniel M. Traynor, who handed down the sentence after Johnson pleaded guilty to two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), and one count of Possession and Discharge of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.

The charges stem from a series of incidents that began on November 1, 2022, when a Burleigh County Deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of 52nd Street Southeast and Fettig Drive in Bismarck. Johnson, who was driving and had a suspended license, was arrested for the traffic stop and for having an outstanding arrest warrant.

During the search of Johnson’s vehicle, a Bismarck Police Department K9 gave a positive indication, leading to the discovery of methamphetamine and a handgun. The firearm was loaded with a round of ammunition in the chamber and a thirteen-round magazine. Johnson was later released on bond but failed to appear for a hearing, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant.

On April 22, 2023, Johnson was identified driving eastbound on I-94 just east of Bismarck, and when law enforcement attempted to stop him, he fled, reaching speeds of over 120 mph. Johnson then fired multiple rounds from his vehicle while driving through Bismarck city limits. Law enforcement engaged spike strips, and the vehicle became disabled on South Washington Street near the Bismarck Expressway intersection.

Johnson was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to multiple felony convictions from 2012-2023. “This is a fitting sentence for someone who violently put the lives of law enforcement officers and Bismarck residents at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider. “Our partners at the Bismarck Police Department and Burleigh County Sheriff’s Office deserve the credit for bringing this individual to justice before he hurt anyone.”\\

The case was investigated by the Burleigh County Sheriff’s Office, the Bismarck Police Department, the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the North Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, with Assistant United States Attorney David Hagler assigned to the case.

Bismarck Police Chief Dave Draovitch commended the law enforcement officers involved in the case, saying, “Kyle Johnson is being held accountable for aimlessly shooting out of a moving vehicle, which could have had significant consequences to innocent bystanders in the city that my department protects and serves.”