A man from Harrodsburg, Kentucky, Wayne Jerome Johnson, aged 46, received a 300-month prison sentence on Monday, as ruled by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove. Johnson was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Court documents reveal that on November 17, 2021, Johnson was observed by law enforcement distributing drugs from two rooms at the Economy Inn in Harrodsburg. An authorized search of these rooms uncovered over 50 grams of a methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl mixture, along with 32 grams of cocaine in separate bags. Additional findings included a loaded pistol, ammunition, magazines, cash, and drug trafficking paraphernalia. Johnson acknowledged ownership of the drugs with intent to distribute and possession of the firearm for drug trafficking purposes. At the time of his arrest, Johnson was aware of his prior felony convictions which barred him from firearm possession.
Johnson's criminal history includes previous convictions for trafficking controlled substances in Mercer Circuit Court, specifically two counts in October 2000 and one count in 2018.
Federal law stipulates Johnson must serve 85% of his sentence. After his prison term, he will undergo supervision by the U.S. Probation Office for eight years.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division, Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, and Chief Scott Elder of the Harrodsburg Police Department, collectively announced Johnson's sentence.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the ATF, the Kentucky State Police, and the Harrodsburg Police Department. The prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger West.
