Jeffery Allan Johnston, Firearm and Ecstasy Trafficking, Colorado 2013

Colo. Cops in Ecstasy Trafficking Scandal

A shocking case of corruption within the law enforcement ranks has come to light as Jeffery Allan Johnston, a 46-year-old police officer from Parker, Colorado, pleaded guilty to firearm and ecstasy trafficking crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado.

On July 19, 2013, Johnston was first charged by Criminal Complaint, and he was arrested at his Parker home on July 22, 2013. He was charged by Information on August 15, 2013, where he waived his right to be indicted by a federal grand jury. He pled guilty today, October 28, 2013.

According to the stipulated facts in the plea agreement, as well as other court documents, in April 2012, a source told law enforcement that he attended a party at Johnston's home. While at the party, the source claims he observed behavior consistent with the use of illegal drugs. On July 16, 2013, a source received a message from Johnston. In cooperation with the FBI, the source returned Johnston's call and had a coded conversation about providing Johnston with MDMA. On July 19, 2013, the source, working with the FBI, traveled to Johnston's residence. Through monitored and recorded calls before the meeting, the source had agreed to deliver 75 MDMA pills to Johnston. The source and Johnston then met at Johnston's residence. The exchange of money and MDMA took place in the kitchen of the residence. Johnston received approximately 9.9 grams of MDMA, in the form of 37 pills and 6.3 grams of powder MDMA. Johnston paid the source $1,300 for the drugs. Following the transaction, Johnston was taken into custody and a federal search warrant was executed at the residence.

During the search agents found the MDMA used during the controlled exchange in a kitchen drawer. They also found a stainless steel Colt Officers Model .45 caliber pistol located in a small black bag, loaded with seven rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber located above the kitchen drawer that contained the drugs. Investigators eventually located a small amount of cocaine, steroids, hundreds of prescription pills, additional firearms, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in the residence. They also found 8 other firearms, including an AR-15 and two 12 gauge shotguns. At all pertinent times, the defendant was employed as a sworn police officer.

Johnston faces not more than 10 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000 for being a prohibited person in possession of firearms (specifically an unlawful user of Schedule I controlled substances, MDMA, MDA and GHB while knowingly possessing multiple firearms). He also faces not more than 20 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for possession with intent to distribute MDMA (Ecstasy).

Johnston is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Philip A. Brimmer on February 3, 2014, and was immediately remanded into custody following his guilty plea. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Johnston is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Conner and Guy Till.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/littleton-police-officer-pleads-guilty-firearm-and-drug-trafficking-crimes