HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A Michigan man pled guilty to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Gary Jerome Johnson, also known as Sosa, 29, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.
“Fentanyl is the leading cause of drug death in West Virginia. It is a devastating drug that has devastated too many of our families," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Out-of-state drug dealers have caused enough harm in West Virginia. This is another out of state drug dealer headed to prison."
Johnson admitted that on May 2, 2019, he was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over for a traffic stop in Huntington. After learning that Johnson was wanted out of Michigan for absconding from parole, he was placed under arrest and taken to the West Virginia State Police detachment in Huntington for processing. A Trooper found approximately 16 grams of fentanyl in his cruiser. Johnson admitted he intended to sell the controlled substance.
Johnson faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on Sept. 21, 2020.
Operation Free Market was a long-term drug investigation in the Huntington area. The investigation was the result of a joint effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West. It was part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS), a Department of Justice program that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas and to identify wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers.
The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews and USAttyStuart
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
