Joseph Anthony Johnson, 34, of Irmo, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing fentanyl and for two convictions of felon in possession of a firearm.

On Jan. 24, 2022, according to evidence presented in court, officers with the West Columbia Police Department found Johnson in possession of fentanyl and a loaded .380 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number.  That firearm was stolen, and Johnson was prohibited from possessing any firearm at the time due to multiple prior felony convictions. Johnson had 19 prior convictions, including for assault and battery 3rd degree, methamphetamine distribution, seven drug possessions, an illegal firearm possession, resisting arrest, failure to stop on police command, and financial transaction card theft.  

On Feb. 15, 2022, and again on Feb. 24, 2022, while out on bond for the conduct above, Johnson sold heroin and another loaded .380 caliber pistols to an undercover source.  Johnson was armed with a firearm in his waistband during one of the drug transactions.  On July 22, 2022, when Johnson was arrested for the conduct above, he was again found with heroin and fentanyl.

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Johnson to 11 years in federal prison with six years of court-ordered supervision to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the West Columbia Police Department, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott B. Daniels prosecuted the case.