Washington Man Pleads Guilty to Bringing Drugs and Prostitution to Missoula Area

MISSOULA – Frederick Glen Johnson, 47, of Spokane Valley, Washington, pleaded guilty today in Missoula federal court to drug and prostitution-related racketeering charges.  He faces a mandatory prison sentence of five to forty years, up to five million dollars in fines, and at least four years supervised release for the drug crime.  For the racketeering crime involving prostitution, he faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.  U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Jeremiah Lynch presided over the change of plea and set sentencing for October 1, 2015, in Missoula.

Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin as well as one count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering.  In court documents, federal prosecutor Cyndee Peterson stated that a co-conspirator of Johnson’s received meth and heroin from sources in Washington state and elsewhere.  The co-conspirator, Johnson, and others conspired to bring heroin and meth into Missoula County for distribution.  Co-conspirators estimated that between approximately February 2014 and November 2014, they collectively possessed with intent to distribute, and did distribute, 50 grams or more of a substance or mixture containing methamphetamine, as well as 100 grams or more of the same in heroin.  Johnson also brandished a Raven Arms .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun during the drug transaction.

Johnson also pleaded guilty to interstate travel in aid of racketeering, which involved travel between states in order to engage in unlawful activity. Here, the unlawful activity was prostitution or promoting prostitution in violation of Montana state law. The crime also involved Johnson taking affirmative steps to facilitate the prostitution or its promotion.  Johnson travelled from Spokane, Washington to Missoula, Montana, with five people, with the intent to promote prostitution.  While in Missoula, Johnson would drive the five individuals to meet with prostitution customers.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee Peterson and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Montana Violent Crime Task Force, Missoula Street Crimes Unit, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.