NORFOLK, VA – A Brooklyn man has been sentenced to a hefty 72 months in federal prison for orchestrating a large-scale gun trafficking operation that flooded the streets of New York with illegally obtained firearms. Joseph Alexander Johnson, 38, was sentenced today in the Eastern District of Virginia, facing the consequences for his role as a felon in possession of a firearm and for masterminding a sophisticated straw purchasing scheme.
Federal prosecutors detailed how Johnson spearheaded a conspiracy responsible for the illegal purchase, sale, and transportation of at least 43 firearms – including dangerous AR-type rifles equipped with high-capacity magazines – between Virginia and New York. This wasn’t a spontaneous act; Johnson actively managed every facet of the operation, exploiting loopholes and vulnerable individuals to fuel the illicit trade.
Unable to legally purchase firearms himself due to his prior felony conviction, Johnson preyed upon at least three young women with clean records, recruiting them as “straw purchasers.” These women, unwittingly or not, bought the guns on his behalf. Once in his possession – or that of his co-defendant, Tysohn Stevens, 39, also of Brooklyn – Johnson then aggressively marketed these illegal weapons through Facebook, directly targeting felons and known gang members throughout Brooklyn.
The investigation, conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), revealed a calculated effort to arm criminals. Johnson wasn’t just moving guns; he was deliberately supplying weapons to individuals prohibited from possessing them, directly contributing to violence on the streets of New York. The 72-month sentence reflects the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating this type of interstate trafficking.
Tysohn Stevens, 39, has already pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 24th. U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, and ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon, announced the sentencing of Johnson following a hearing before Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Jackson led the prosecution.
This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative designed to reduce violent crime through focused enforcement and community partnerships. According to the DOJ, PSN targets the most violent offenders and combines law enforcement efforts with prevention and reentry programs. Court documents related to the case, Case No. 2:22-cr-64, are available on the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia website or through PACER.
Related Federal Cases
- Adam Longoria, Gun Trafficking, FL 2016 · Virginia
- Diones Bowens, Gun Trafficking, NY 2024 · Ohio
- Francis Joseph Douglas, Cocaine Distribution and Gun Trafficking, V… · Virginia
- Patrick Willie Smith, Gun Possession with Loaded Firearm, FL 2024 · Virginia
- Chamberlain Chaney, Gun Possession with Stolen Firearm, FL 2024 · Virginia
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
