News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 03, 2008
Contact: Chuvalo J. Truesdell
PIO/AFD
Number: 404-893-7124

Summerville Drug Dealer Faces Life Sentence

JUL 03 -- (COLUMBIA, SC) - United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins announced that Kenneth Joseph Johnson Jr., 40, of Summerville, was convicted today in federal court in Charleston of conspiracy to possess more than 5 kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute.  Chief United States District Judge David C. Norton presided over the trial and will impose a sentence at a later date.

Evidence presented at the trial established that Johnson was involved in the importation of over 50 kilograms of cocaine into the Charleston area during the summer months of 2006.  Johnson further participated in the distribution of that cocaine to various other cocaine dealers.

Mr. Wilkins stated because of the amount of cocaine involved in the conspiracy, coupled with the fact that Johnson has numerous previous narcotics convictions, he faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Alston C. Badger of the Charleston office handled the case.

Rodney G. Benson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division, encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.justhinktwice.com.

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