Irmo Man Sentenced for Fentanyl, Guns, and Stolen Firearm Dealings
A Notorious History
The news has been buzzing around West Columbia, S.C. about the sentencing of Joseph Anthony Johnson, 34, an infamous figure amongst the local police departments. He was caught distributing fentanyl, possessing stolen firearms, and convicted for the third time as a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the United States Department of Justice, Johnson will be spending over a decade in federal prison for his multiple offenses.
Johnson’s record reveals an individual with a deep history of criminal activity. He has a total of 19 prior felony convictions, which range from third-degree assault and battery, methamphetamine distribution, seven counts of drug possession, an illegal firearm possession, resisting arrest, failure to stop on officers’ command, and financial transaction card theft.
An Expansion of Broken Laws
It was revealed that Johnson was in possession of fentanyl and a loaded .380 caliber handgun while out on bond. This firearm was reported as stolen, and its serial number had been filed off, according to the authorities of West Columbia. Given Johnson’s extensive criminal record, he was legally prohibited from owning any form of firearm at the time.
Adding to the numerous charges, on February 15, and 24, 2022, Johnson was reported to have sold heroin and other loaded .380 caliber pistols to an undercover agent. During one of his drug sales, he was spotted with a gun in his waistband. Upon his arrest on July 22, 2022, officers recovered heroin and fentanyl.
Sentencing
For his various crimes, Johnson was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison without parole. Upon completion of his jail term, he will further be supervised under a court order for an additional six years.
Investigation and Prosecution
The extensive investigation that led to Johnson’s arrest and subsequent sentencing is a result of the combined effort of multiple law enforcement organizations. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the West Columbia Police Department, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) all played significant roles in catching this infamous criminal.
The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott B. Daniels, who ensured that the case saw justice served.
Reported by HERE News Network
