MINNEAPOLIS-Earlier today in federal court, a 35-year-old Burnsville man was indicted for possessing with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of methamphetamine. Albert Morris Johnson was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of methamphetamine, one count of distribution of 50 or more grams of methamphetamine, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm with a removed, obliterated, or altered serial number.
The indictment alleges that on May 1, 2013, Johnson possessed the methamphetamine, along with two handguns -- a nine-millimeter, semi-automatic and a.40-caliber, semi-automatic firearm with an obliterated serial number. Because he is a felon, Johnson is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition at any time. He was previously convicted in Sherburne County in 2009 for second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
A state law enforcement affidavit filed relative to the present case states that during the execution of a search warrant at Johnson’s residence on May 1, 2013, authorities seized approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine in the laundry room, the two firearms noted above, more than $16,000 in cash, a digital scale, a money counter, and packaging material.
Authorities also executed a search warrant at Johnson’s Burnsville-based barbershop on that same day.
If convicted, Johnson faces a potential maximum penalty of life in prison on the possession with intent count, 40 years on the distribution count, ten years on the felon in possession count, and five years on the obliterated serial number count. Any sentence would be determined by a federal district court judge.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Dakota County Drug Task Force, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Bejar and Thomas M. Hollenhorst.
To learn more about the harmful effects of methamphetamine, visit.
An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
