Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
58th Defendant Sentenced on Charges Arising Out of ATF-Led Operation Targeting Drug Trafficking and Firearms Crime in Bernalillo County
Defendant among the 103 Individuals Federally Charged as the Result of ATF-Led Investigation Pursued in Support of Federal “Worst of the Worst” Anti-Violence Initiative
ALBUQUERQUE – In Aug. 2016, a multi-agency investigation led by the ATF concluded with the filing of 59 federal indictments and a federal criminal complaint charging 103 Bernalillo County residents with federal firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses. To date, 84 of these defendants have been convicted, including 83 who have entered guilty pleas, and 57 of them have been sentenced.
The investigation was undertaken in support of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies collaborate with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution primarily based on their prior criminal convictions with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
Today, Davon Johnson, 44, a resident of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction. Johnson will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.
Johnson was arrested on July 6, 2016, on an indictment charging him with distribution of MDMA on June 9, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M. On July 17, 2017, Johnson pled guilty to a felony information charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In entering the guilty plea, Johnson admitted that on June 9, 2016, he sold approximately 100 pills containing methamphetamine to another individual in exchange for money.
Sixteen of the defendants charged as the result of the ATF investigation have entered not guilty pleas. Charges in indictments are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law. Two defendants are fugitives and the charges against two defendants have been dismissed.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano Torrez.