Clinton Meth Dealer in Possession of Firearms Sentenced to 106 Months In Prison

WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Clinton man was sentenced today to 106 months in prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  On October 19, 2021, Javaun Delano Jaleel Johnson pled guilty to the charges.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Johnson, 30, was stopped on September 2, 2020 at a checkpoint in Clinton.  Johnson did not possess a valid driver’s license.  Upon searching Johnson’s car, officers recovered marijuana, methamphetamine, $5,000 in cash, a scale, and a .45 caliber handgun.  A few months later, in January of 2021, after another automobile stop, Johnson was found in possession of more methamphetamine, and a loaded .380. caliber firearm.

At sentencing the court denied the defendant’s request for a departure from the sentencing guidelines, citing the defendant’s multiple firearm possession events.  At the time of the offense, the defendant had previously been convicted on a state charge for being a felon in possession of a different firearm than those involved in the federal case.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Clinton Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys William M. Gilmore and Evan Rikhye prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:21-CR-25-M.