PATRICK DAVID JOHNSON, age 21, of Vancouver, Washington, pleaded guilty today in Federal District Court in Tacoma to four charges relating to trafficking of methamphetamine and heroin, possession of two handguns after being convicted of a felony offense, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He faces a combined mandatory minimum sentence of at least ten (10) years and up to life imprisonment on the counts. His prison time will be followed by at least five (5) years of supervised release, when he is sentenced on November 18, 2005 by United States District Judge Ronald B. Leighton.

According to court records, on November 24, 2004, police executed a state search warrant at a residence at 10413 N.E. Burton Road, Vancouver, Washington. In the course of the search of JOHNSON's bedroom, officers found two loaded pistols, approximately seven ounces (194 grams) of methamphetamine, and more than one-half ounce of heroin. Police also recovered scales, packaging materials, and drug notes frequently associated with drug traffickers, a collection of approximately thirty (30) knives, about a dozen car stereos, and over $2,400 in cash. JOHNSON had two prior felony methamphetamine convictions in 2002 and 2003 from Clark County Superior Court.

The money, stereos, guns, drugs, and other drug trafficking paraphernalia have been or will be forfeited as part of the prosecution and JOHNSON's guilty pleas.

JOHNSON was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program. Unveiled by President George W. Bush in May 2001, Project Safe Neighborhoods, a comprehensive and strategic approach to gun law enforcement, is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in America by networking both new and existing local programs that target gun crime and then providing them with the resources and tools they need to succeed. Implementation at the local level -- in this case, in Vancouver and Clark County -- has fostered close partnerships between federal, state and local prosecutors and law enforcement, resulting in the successful targeting of individuals who commit gun crimes such as those committed by PATRICK DAVID JOHNSON.

This case was primarily investigated by members of the Camas Police Department, the Clark County Sheriff's Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was investigated and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory A. Gruber.

For further information, please contact press spokesperson Emily Langlie at (206) 553-4110.

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