Four anchorage men charged with drug trafficking crimes
Anchorage, Alaska – United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today, January 30, 2012, that four defendants were arraigned on January 20, 2012, on multiple charges involving drug trafficking conspiracy, distribution of controlled substances, possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute and possession of firearms and ammunition in furtherance of drug trafficking.
31 year-old David Tidwell, 32 year-old Dolphus Griffin, 27 year-old Prentiss Johnson and 24 year-old Anthony Lamont Johnson were charged in three separate indictments.
According to the information presented to the court, Tidwell and Griffin engaged in multiple acts of the distribution of crack cocaine, totaling over 280 grams, during October, November and December of 2011. Tidwell was also found to be in the possession of one Ruger 9mm pistol, loaded with 17 rounds of ammunition, and one Ruger .40 caliber pistol, loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition. Tidwell faces an additional charge for the possession of powder cocaine with intent to distribute. The indictment against Tidwell and Griffin also seeks forfeiture of the firearms, along with the forfeiture of over $27,000 in cash and a Cadillac Escalade. In a separate indictment, Prentiss Johnson is charged with two counts of the distribution of crack cocaine and one count of possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. In another separate indictment, Anthony Johnson is charged with the possession of crack cocaine. All four individuals are alleged to have been selling crack cocaine in Anchorage, but they are all originally from Grenada, Mississippi.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Erin E. White, who presented the cases to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both, for the drug trafficking conspiracy charged against Tidwell and Griffin. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life in prison for the possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, a fine of $250,000, or both. Prentiss Johnson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison, with a maximum term of 40 years, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Anthony Johnson faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the indictments in this case. SAUSA White is a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office who is funded by the Municipality of Anchorage for the purpose of prosecuting gang-related and violent crime cases.
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.
