Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Lagarius Joseph Johnson, a 21-year-old Gainesville resident, has been sentenced to 35 years and 3 months in federal prison for several offenses including drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “Operation Take Back America is a promise by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi that we will do everything in our power to stop those who pose a danger to our communities. Keeping a dangerous offender like this one off our streets is yet another step in fulfilling that promise. I am proud of the work of our brave state and federal law enforcement partners who investigated this case, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute these offenders to keep our communities safe.”
According to evidence presented at trial, law enforcement officers had been conducting surveillance at Majestic Oaks apartments after receiving reports about firearms on the premises. Johnson was already prohibited from possessing firearms due to his prior criminal record under state law. When officers approached him, Johnson made movements suggesting he was armed before fleeing from police; he was eventually apprehended with assistance from a police canine.
During his flight, Johnson discarded items including a cellphone, backpack, and pistol. Officers recovered marijuana packaged for distribution along with empty baggies and a digital scale from his backpack. The firearm found was equipped with a machinegun conversion device that made it fully automatic. Authorities also searched Johnson’s cellphone and social media accounts, finding multiple images of him posing with weapons, large amounts of cash, and advertising marijuana sales on the day he was arrested.
Police Chief Nelson Moya of the Gainesville Police Department said: “The combination of illegal narcotics and illegally possessed firearms, especially a machine gun, presents an extreme threat to public safety... I commend our officers and federal partners for their dedicated work in bringing this case to justice. We will continue to stand firm against those who choose to endanger lives through criminal activity.”
Deanne L. Reuter, Special Agent in Charge at the Drug Enforcement Administration Miami Field Division added: “Drug trafficking is a dangerous endeavor and leads to increased violence in our communities... Law enforcement agencies in Florida continue to work together to get these armed and dangerous criminals off our streets and behind bars.”
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass remarked: “This sentence sends a clear message: if you bring violence, drugs and illegal guns into Florida, you will be met with the full force of local, state and federal law enforcement... Working side-by-side with our partners, FDLE will continue to track down dangerous offenders and dismantle the criminal networks that put our communities at risk.”
Kirk Howard from ATF Tampa Field Division commented: “This is an incredible public safety win for residents of North Central Florida... We’re proud to have leveraged our expertise to help our local, state and federal partners bring this dangerous suspect to justice.”
Johnson’s prison term will be followed by 10 years of supervised release. The court also ordered forfeiture of the firearm involved as well as its conversion device.
In addition to these convictions, Johnson faces unrelated charges for attempted first degree murder involving a machinegun in Alachua County Circuit Court where he has pleaded not guilty.
The investigation leading up to Johnson’s conviction involved multiple agencies including the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office; Gainesville Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives; as well as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), which coordinates resources across several Justice Department initiatives aimed at combating violent crime—including OCDETFs (Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that thefts from unlocked cars are often how criminals acquire guns within Northern District of Florida neighborhoods—encouraging residents as part of their PSN strategy always lock vehicle doors overnight.
For more information about cases prosecuted by this office or accessing court documents online visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
