SOUTH BEND, IN – Kendrick Johnson, 38, of South Bend, Indiana, will spend the next 21 years of his life behind bars after being sentenced to 252 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty handed down the sentence Wednesday, following Johnson’s guilty plea.
The case began to unfold in the spring of 2021 when Johnson began dealing fentanyl. Investigators moved in during September of that year, executing search warrants at both Johnson’s residence and a storage unit he rented. What they found was a staggering amount of the deadly opioid: over 6 ½ kilograms of fentanyl. But the haul didn’t stop there. Authorities also discovered nearly $800,000 in cash and three loaded firearms – a clear indication of a sophisticated and dangerous operation.
“My Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will investigate, prosecute and seek long sentences for those seeking to illegally distribute fentanyl on the streets of Northern Indiana,” stated United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. “Those groups and persons that traffic this very dangerous and deadly drug should be on notice that our federal and state law enforcement will continue to focus our efforts on dismantling those groups and bringing those offenders to justice.”
The investigation was a collaborative effort led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with crucial support from the LaPorte County Drug Task Force, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Bend Police Department. ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews emphasized the agency’s commitment to tackling both illegal firearms and narcotics trafficking. “ATF is committed to working closely with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate illegal possession of firearms and narcotics trafficking activity that creates havoc in our communities,” he said.
Alfred A. Cooke, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Merrillville District Office, added, “Drug traffickers who knowingly sell illicit fentanyl must be held accountable for their actions.” He affirmed the DEA’s dedication to partnering with other agencies to ensure community safety. Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse prosecuted the case.
This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement efforts and community engagement. The Department of Justice recently strengthened PSN, focusing on fostering trust with communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, and strategically prioritizing enforcement efforts.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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