Luzerne County Man Indicted For Drug Trafficking And Firearms Offenses

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on March 22, 2022, Andre Johnson, Jr., age 28, a resident of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking and firearms offenses, including possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and as a previously convicted felon.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges that on or about February 24, 2022, Johnson possessed with intent to distribute 40 grams and more of fentanyl, 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, and 28 grams and more of cocaine base (crack), all Schedule II controlled substances, as well as an unspecified amount of marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance.  It is further alleged that Johnson possessed multiple firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, as well as multiple firearms while knowing that he was a prohibited from possessing them due to prior felony convictions in Philadelphia County.  Johnson is also charged with possessing stolen firearms.

This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The charges stem from a joint investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshals Service, the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for the crimes charged in the Indictment is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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