East Bay Felon Sentenced To Over 7½ Years In Prison For Possessing A Firearm And Ammunition

OAKLAND– Laron Jamal Johnson was sentenced to 91 months in prison today for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and for violating the terms of his supervised release, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett.  The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Jon S. Tigar, United States District Judge.

Johnson, 31, of San Leandro, pleaded guilty to the firearm and drug charges on March 8, 2019.  In pleading guilty, Johnson admitted that on September 22, 2018, he was traveling in Oakland and was in possession of a Glock .40 caliber handgun, 13 rounds of ammunition, and 100 grams of marijuana that he intended to distribute.  At the time, Johnson was a convicted felon and was not eligible to possess a firearm or ammunition.  Johnson further admitted that on the same day, he was subject to the conditions of a court order setting the conditions for his release from prison as a result of a previous drug-related weapons conviction.  On March 8, 2019, Johnson admitted that his possession of a gun and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute violated the terms of his supervised release.

On December 13, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Johnson, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), and being in possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841.  Johnson pleaded guilty to both counts.  Judge Tigar ordered Johnson to serve the combined 91 month prison term for the two crimes and for Johnson’s violation of the terms of his supervised release. 

In addition to the prison term, Judge Tigar ordered Johnson to serve a three-year term of supervised release to begin at the conclusion of his prison term.  Judge Tigar ordered that Johnson will be subject to being searched, with or without suspicion, during his three year term of supervised release.   

Assistant United States Attorney Thomas R. Green is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessica Rodriguez.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.