Gary Johnson, known as "G Money," was arraigned in federal court in Central Islip on charges related to narcotics distribution. The 26-count second superseding indictment accuses Johnson of distributing controlled substances, including fentanyl and cocaine base, which resulted in the death of a woman and serious injuries to three others. Additional charges include conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl, firearms offenses, and destruction of evidence. The arraignment took place before United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack.
The announcement was made by John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI's New York Field Office; and Kevin Catalina, Commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department.
“Our district has suffered terribly from the opioid epidemic," stated United States Attorney Durham. He emphasized that Johnson sold large amounts of dangerous narcotics without regard for their deadly consequences. "With these new charges, this Office continues its tireless efforts...to prosecute drug traffickers responsible for the opioid crisis."
FBI Assistant Director Dennehy added that Johnson allegedly sold substantial quantities of illicit drugs resulting in one death and three poisonings. “These alleged actions threatened public safety by exposing neighborhoods to a supply of dangerous substances,” he said.
SCPD Commissioner Catalina remarked on Johnson's disregard for the consequences of his actions: “For years, Gary Johnson knew the poison he was selling posed deadly consequences.”
Court filings allege that between June 2013 and November 2020, Johnson conspired to sell narcotics throughout Long Island as a leader of the G-Shine set of the Bloods gang. On March 3, 2020, two individuals lost consciousness after ingesting drugs distributed by Johnson but were revived with medical assistance. On May 1, 2020, another individual survived after being found unconscious while a mother died from acute mixed drug intoxication caused by drugs supplied by Johnson.
Johnson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years if convicted.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations through coordinated efforts among various law enforcement agencies.
The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Misorek, Meredith A. Arfa, Stephen Petraeus with support from Paralegal Specialist Dejah Turla.
