Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Youngstown Man sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Having Firearm
A Youngstown man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, said Carole S. Rendon, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Bradley Earman, Acting ATF Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division.
Lawrence J. Johnson, 52, was found to be an armed career criminal. He illegally possessed a Bryco 9 mm pistol on Aug. 12, despite four felony convictions in state court – attempted robbery in 1982 in Mahoning County, robbery in 1983 in Mahoning County, robbery in 1997 in Trumbull County and complicity to aggravated robbery with a firearm in 2005 in Trumbull County.
“We will continue to prosecute those who carry firearms despite convictions that forbid them from having guns,” Rendon said. “These are people that everyone agrees should not have access to firearms.”
“ATF is committed to combating gun violence in our communities,” Earman said. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to arrest violent criminals and make our communities safer.”
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Filiatraut following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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