Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

SOUTH BEND – Kendrick Johnson, 38 years old, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty on his plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Johnson was sentenced to 252 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. 

According to documents in this case, Johnson sold drugs in the spring of 2021. In September of 2021, investigators executed search warrants. Between Johnson’s home and his storage unit, investigators found over 6 ½ kilograms of fentanyl, almost $800,000 cash, and three loaded firearms.

“My Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will investigate, prosecute and seek long sentences for those seeking to illegally distribute fentanyl on the streets of Northern Indiana,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.  “Those groups and persons that traffic this very dangerous and deadly drug should be on notice that our federal and state law enforcement will continue to focus our efforts on dismantling those groups and bringing those offenders to justice.”

“ATF is committed to working closely with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate illegal possession of firearms and narcotics trafficking activity that creates havoc in our communities,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division Jeffrey L. Matthews. “I commend the United States Attorney’s office in the Northern District of Indiana for their continued partnership in prosecuting those responsible.”

“Drug traffickers who knowingly sell illicit fentanyl must be held accountable for their actions,” said Alfred A. Cooke, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Merrillville District Office. “The DEA remains committed to working hand in hand with our state, local and federal partners to keep our communities safe.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the LaPorte County Drug Task Force, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Bend Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

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.

###