fairbanks man indicted by federal grand jury for drug and firearms crimes
Anchorage, Alaska – United States Attorney Karen Loeffler announced today that a Fairbanks man was indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage for two counts of possession of a mixture containing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, one count of being a felon in possession of firearms, and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug offense.
The four-count indictment names Dale Cleveland Johnson, Jr, 47, of Fairbanks, Alaska, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment, Johnson possessed a large quantity of methamphetamine and 20 assorted firearms. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of the 20 firearms.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Dallaire, who is prosecuting the case, indicated that the law provides for a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $5 million, or both, on the drug offense alone. The possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug offense carries a mandatory five-year consecutive sentence. Under the federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Alaska Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
Mr. Dallaire, a Fairbanks Assistant District Attorney, is prosecuting the case as a result of cooperation between the Fairbanks District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
