KC Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Meth, Heroin Conspiracy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin.

Theodis Dewan Johnson, 42, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 20 years in federal prison without parole.

On Jan. 4, 2018, Johnson pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute more than 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine as well as heroin from Oct. 21, 2015, until his arrest on Sept. 28, 2016. Co-defendants Erin R. Markley, 36, and Evelyn Leona Cooper, 46, both of Kansas City, Mo., also have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Markley was sentenced to six years in federal prison without parole and Cooper is scheduled to be sentenced on May 22, 2018.

A confidential informant purchased methamphetamine from Johnson and Cooper, the leader of the conspiracy, on several occasions. When law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at their residence, they found multiple handguns, approximately 76.5 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 17 grams of heroin. 

Johnson acted as a narcotics runner, money collector and as protection for Cooper’s narcotics operation. Johnson was directly responsible for the distribution of 705.64 grams of methamphetamine. Johnson was in possession of a loaded Taurus .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol at the time of his arrest.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.