Melvin Johnson, 27, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison for distributing crack cocaine and illegally possessing firearms while on pre-trial release. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Johnson pleaded guilty on April 8, 2025, to unlawful possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and being a felon in possession of two firearms and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Leon also ordered Johnson to serve three years of supervised release after his prison term.
The sentencing was announced alongside FBI Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis of the Washington Field Office Criminal Division and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
According to court documents, on August 17, 2021, MPD officers responded to a report of drug trafficking in the 3500 block of 14th Street NW. Officers found Johnson nearby on a scooter and questioned him about illegal items. He claimed he only had personal belongings.
An officer observed an extended magazine protruding from Johnson’s bag and noticed it appeared heavy. After detaining Johnson, officers recovered a loaded Glock 29 semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine containing 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition from his bag, along with another Glock magazine loaded with 16 rounds.
A search revealed $1,203 in cash and 26 grams of a white rock substance inside Johnson’s spandex pants. A field test confirmed the substance as cocaine base.
On February 28, 2020, MPD officers previously recovered a loaded “ghost gun” equipped with a laser pointer from Johnson on Meridian Place NW. At the time of his later arrest for drug trafficking and firearm possession, Johnson was out on pre-trial release for carrying a loaded pistol without a license.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office and MPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole prosecuted the case.
"Melvin Johnson, 27, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today to a total of 66 months in federal prison in connection with trafficking crack cocaine and illegally possessing a loaded Glock semi-automatic pistol and a “Ghost Gun” semi-automatic pistol equipped with a laser pointer," announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
