GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Lorenzo Joshua Johnson, Jr., 41, of Gainesville, Florida, has been sentenced to 27.25 years in federal prison after being convicted at trial of drug trafficking and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon on April 8, 2022.
The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
"The collaborative efforts of our partners in the Gainesville Gun Violence Initiative continue to produce impactful results, and we will continue working tirelessly to make North Florida safer," said U.S. Attorney Coody. "This sentence ensures that our community will be safer and sends a message that there are real and severe consequences for federal firearm offenses."
Johnson will serve concurrent sentences of 5 years for the Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and 27.25 years for the Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon charges. Johnson’s prison sentence will be followed by 10 years of supervised release.
"On behalf of the Gainesville Police Department, I want to express my appreciation to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the successful prosecution of this case," said Chief Lonnie Scott, Gainesville Police Department. "The collaboration exhibited by the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation is an exemplar of the power of teamwork. Thank you all for helping to keep our community safe."
Johnson was arrested on November 10, 2020, after a surveillance operation in the Porter’s neighborhood in Gainesville, Florida, revealed his involvement in narcotics activity. Detectives with the Gainesville-Alachua County Drug Task Force observed Johnson engaging in hand-to-hand transactions and collecting cash from other street-level dealers. A search of Johnson’s person revealed over $600 cash and the key to the white Chevrolet Impala he had been seen driving.
A certified narcotics detection K-9 conducted an open-air sniff of the Impala, which was parked nearby, and positively alerted to the odor of narcotics. The Impala was towed and later searched pursuant to a search warrant, revealing a loaded Bersa 9 millimeter pistol with cocaine residue on the slide, two bags containing about one ounce of marijuana, a small baggie containing crack cocaine, a baggie containing over ten grams of tablets (later determined to contain a mixture of methamphetamine and Eutylone), two smart phones, empty baggies, digital scales, and personal documents belonging to Johnson.
Johnson is a multi-time convicted felon and will serve concurrent sentences of 5 years for the Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and 27.25 years for the Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon charges.
Defendant: Lorenzo Joshua Johnson Jr.
Criminal Charges: Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
City and State: Gainesville, Florida
Date: April 8, 2022 (sentencing), November 10, 2020 (arrest)
Sentence: 27.25 years in federal prison, 10 years of supervised release
Dollar Amount: $600 (cash recovered)
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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