DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Middle District of Pennsylvania

For Immediate Release

Friday, April 12, 2024
Gerard M. Karam
, United States Attorney

Wilkes-Barre Man Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Violations

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ras Dalmar Johnson, age 27, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was indicted on April 9, 2024, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on February 1, 2024, Johnson possessed with intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl, over 50 grams of methamphetamine, and amounts of cocaine and marijuana.  The indictment also alleges that on the same date, Johnson, who is a person prohibited from possessing a firearm, possessed a Glock 26 handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Narcotics and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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Philadelphia Field Division