A federal jury has convicted 20-year-old Lagarius Joseph Johnson of Gainesville for possessing a machine gun in connection with drug trafficking activities. The ruling comes after a surveillance operation in August 2023 revealed Johnson’s connection to firearms and drug distribution, culminating in his arrest following a brief foot chase with law enforcement.
Evidence presented at the trial showed that Johnson, a prohibited firearm possessor due to his criminal past, not only fled from the police but also discarded multiple items indicating drug-related activities, including marijuana and a pistol modified to fire automatically. The investigation, part of Operation Take Back America, underscores ongoing efforts by federal and local agencies to combat gun violence and drug crimes in the community. Sentencing is set for August 12, and Johnson faces additional charges related to attempted homicide.
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