Moss Point Man Sentenced to Over 17 Years in Federal Prison under Project EJECT for Heroin and Methamphetamine Trafficking

Gulfport, Miss – Raphael Donzell Johnson, Jr., 40, of Moss Point, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr, to 210 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Michelle Sutphin with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.  Johnson was also ordered to pay a $9,000 fine. 

In May 2019, Johnson sold heroin and methamphetamine to an individual on two separate occasions.  In June, agents executed a search warrant on Johnson’s home where they found over 400 grams of heroin, methamphetamine and two firearms. 

Johnson was charged in a federal criminal indictment and pled guilty before Judge Guirola on January 29, 2020.

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.

This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian. EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 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.