James Weldon Johnson, Federal Narcotics and Firearms Charges, Pennsylvania 2022

A federal jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, took less than an hour to convict James Weldon Johnson, also known as “300 Blocc Knocc”, on four counts of violating federal narcotics and firearm laws. The verdict was announced by Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman on Friday.

The trial took place before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak at the federal courthouse in Pittsburgh. Prosecutors Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan T. Conway and Ross E. Lenhardt presented evidence that established Johnson distributed fentanyl on December 30, 2016, in a transaction observed by a detective from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police directly outside of 330 Renova Street in the Hazelwood neighborhood.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police followed up the observation with a search warrant for the residence on January 2, 2017. The search led to the seizure of substantial quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as a stolen and loaded .45 caliber handgun, two extended length magazines for the .45 handgun, and numerous items commonly used in drug trafficking such as electronic scales, body armor, inositol, cash, and baking soda.

The defendant was arrested at the location while in possession of two cellular telephones, over $900 in cash, and the keys to the residence. After obtaining search warrants and extracting the contents of those cellphones, experts concluded that the messages in those phones indicated that one of the cellular telephones was used in the December 30, 2016 transaction and that Johnson was regularly using that cellular telephone to sell illegal narcotics.

Johnson, age 36, faces a total sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $4,500,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court remanded the defendant back into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman commended the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for conducting the investigation and assisting in the prosecution and conviction of James Weldon Johnson.

The law provides for a total sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $4,500,000 or both. Johnson’s sentencing is scheduled for March 2, 2022.

The evidence presented in court established that Johnson distributed fentanyl on December 30, 2016, in a transaction observed by a detective from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police directly outside of 330 Renova Street in the Hazelwood neighborhood.

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