Nampa Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal Prison

Norman Johnson, 50, of Nampa, Idaho, was sentenced yesterday to 140 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine and illegal possession of firearms, the United States Attorney’s Office announced.

Johnson pled guilty to the charge on June 24, 2009, and was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Wm. Fremming Nielsen, Eastern District of Washington, who also ordered Johnson to serve six years of supervised release.

During his plea, Johnson admitted to distributing over 500 grams of methamphetamine and unlawfully possessing a firearm. Johnson had been previously convicted of seven prior felony offenses in Arizona and California, and was thereafter prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. Johnson moved to Idaho from Southern California three years ago. At sentencing, Johnson apologized to the people of Idaho for dealing drugs and guns in their community. He stated that he had never before met such friendly people or lived in such a clean and beautiful area.

Johnson’s case was investigated by the FBI Metro Violent Crime Task Force. His prosecution was part of Idaho’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, which seeks to reduce gun violence in Idaho.