Baltimore City Felon Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotics and for Illegal Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
Firearm Discharged During a Struggle, Injuring a Baltimore City Police Officer
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Allen Johnson, age 38, of Baltimore City, Maryland, to 11 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute narcotics and for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The gun discharged while Baltimore City Police Officers were placing Johnson into custody. Johnson was also prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous felony convictions. The sentence was imposed on April 25, 2019.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) - Baltimore Field Division; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore City Police Department.
“This officer, like all law enforcement officers, put his life on the line in order to make our community safer,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur. “All too often, guns and drugs go hand in hand—and both are killers. We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to get both off of our streets and to reduce violent crime in our neighborhoods.”
According to Johnson’s plea agreement, on November 29, 2017, Baltimore City Police officers were on patrol in the Cherry Hill/Brooklyn neighborhoods when they received information that an armed man was in the 800 block of Bridgeview Avenue and had the firearm hidden in his waistband. Police officers responded to the 800 block of Bridgeview Avenue and observed a man matching the description they had been provided, who was later identified as Johnson. As the officers approached Johnson they asked Johnson to show his hands. One of the officers asked Johnson if he possessed a firearm, and Johnson turned away and reached for his waistband. Johnson attempted to flee, and the officer grabbed Johnson from behind. With the officer’s arms wrapped around him, Johnson continued to reach for his waistband. As the officer struggled with Johnson, the firearm discharged, shooting the officer in the wrist. An officer deployed his Taser and subdued Johnson, who was handcuffed and placed under arrest.
A search of Johnson after his arrest recovered 19 vials of cocaine and $80 in cash. Johnson admitted that he intended to distribute the cocaine.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF and the Baltimore City Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant United States Attorneys John W. Sippel, Jr., Patricia C. McLane, and Lindsey McCulley, who prosecuted this case.
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