Convicted Felon Injured State Trooper While Fleeing Scene
RICHMOND, Va. – A previously convicted felon who injured a Virginia State Trooper during a traffic stop was sentenced today to over 13 years in prison for drug crimes and a related federal supervised release violation.
“Johnson injured a state trooper while resisting arrest for possessing meth, marijuana, and cocaine,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “This is prime example of the danger our law enforcement partners face every time they conduct a simple traffic stop. In the blink of an eye it can turn into a dangerous encounter. We will continue to investigate and prosecute cases where our law enforcement partners are injured in the line of duty.”
According to court documents, in December 2017, a Virginia State Police (VSP) Trooper conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle of George Johnson, 38, of Nottoway. During the course of the stop, Johnson fled from the Trooper and caused significant injuries to her hand. While fleeing, Johnson dumped over 130 grams of methamphetamine, which consisted of thousands of pieces of crystals, into the woods along his escape route. Johnson was eventually apprehended by assisting law enforcement and also charged with possessing over 51 grams of marijuana and 2.9 grams of cocaine. It was later determined that at the time of the incident Johnson was on federal supervised release for possession and intent to distribute cocaine-based drugs while carrying a firearm.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Scott W. Hoernke, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:18-cr-81.
Joshua Stueve
Director of Communications
joshua.stueve@usdoj.gov