Press Release
Troy Man Charged with Drug and Gun Offenses
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of New York
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Sherrod Johnson, a/k/a “Rod,” age 27, of Troy, New York, was indicted last week on multiple drug and firearms offenses.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
The indictment alleges that Johnson possessed and intended to distribute heroin on two occasions, first in March 2019 and then in April 2020, and that on each occasion he also possessed a handgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment also alleges that Johnson was subject to an order of protection when he possessed the handguns, which rendered his possession of the handguns unlawful.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Johnson was arrested on April 2, 2020, and charged by complaint with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He is detaining pending trial.
If convicted on all counts, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of life; a minimum term of post-release supervision of 3 years and a maximum term of life; and fines of up to $1 million.
The case is being investigated by the ATF, DEA, and the Troy Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/ag/project-guardian-memo-2019/download
Updated November 10, 2020
Topics
Project Guardian
Drug Trafficking
Firearms Offenses
Component