Louisiana Man Headed to Prison for Drug Violations

TYLER — A Shreveport, Louisiana man has appeared in Tyler federal court for sentencing for drug trafficking violations. Brandon Johnson, 22, pleaded guilty last November to possession with intent to distribute approximately 4.5 kilograms of marijuana. He was sentenced Wednesday to 10 months in federal prison U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider.

Federal prosecutors say on March 19, 2013, Johnson was stopped by a Texas DPS Trooper in the eastbound lane of Interstate Highway 20 in Van Zandt County for speeding. During the course of the stop the officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside Johnson’s car. He was detained in order to conduct a search. The trooper found 10 bundles of marijuana that weighed approximately one pound each in two boxes on the back seat floorboard. The trooper also found a loaded .40 caliber, semi-automatic pistol on the driver’s side floorboard. As part of his sentence, Johnson must forfeit the seized weapon and ammunition to the United States Attorney’s Office. Johnson must also pay a $10,000.00 judgment to be levied against him personally in order to forfeit money he made selling marijuana.