James W. Johnson, Multiple Drug Possession, Pennsylvania 2017

A Pittsburgh man has been charged with violating federal drug trafficking and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

James W. Johnson, a 34-year-old resident of the Hazelwood neighborhood in Pittsburgh, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal drug trafficking and firearms laws.

According to the superseding indictment, on December 30, 2016, Johnson possessed with the intent to distribute, and distributed, fentanyl. The superseding indictment further alleged, on January 2, 2017, Johnson possessed with intent to distribute quantities of crack cocaine, powder cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, as well as possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and as a convicted felon.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $4,500,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, along with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/pittsburgh-man-charged-illegally-possessing-multiple-drugs-and-gun