Press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 21-year-old named Lagarius Joseph Johnson received a federal court sentence of 35 years and 3 months. His charges included possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, illegal possession of a firearm as a user of controlled substances, and possession of a machine gun tied to drug trafficking activities. This announcement was made by John P. Heekin, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Operation Take Back America is a promise by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi that we will do everything in our power to stop those who pose a danger to our communities.  Keeping a dangerous offender like this one off our streets is yet another step in fulfilling that promise. I am proud of the work of our brave state and federal law enforcement partners who investigated this case, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute these offenders to keep our communities safe.”

Click here for Alachua Chronicle’s article on Johnson’s arrest in April 2024.

Evidence at trial demonstrated that law enforcement conducted surveillance of the Majestic Oaks apartments due to reports that Johnson and others were in possession of firearms, including a machine gun. Johnson was prohibited under state law from possessing a firearm due to his prior criminal history. Officers identified Johnson and tried to approach him, but Johnson spun around and pointed with his hand inside his jacket pocket, making officers believe he was armed with a pistol. As officers identified themselves as police, Johnson ran. Officers were able to apprehend Johnson with a police K-9. As Johnson fled, he threw a cell phone, backpack, and pistol. Officers discovered a distribution-quantity of marijuana, empty baggies, and a digital scale in Johnson’s backpack. Examination of the discarded pistol revealed a machine gun conversion device, rendering the pistol fully automatic. Officers obtained search warrants and reviewed material from Johnson’s cell phone, as well as his social media accounts, and found dozens of pictures of Johnson posing with guns, large amounts of cash, and advertising marijuana for sale, including on the day of his arrest.

“The combination of illegal narcotics and illegally possessed firearms, especially a machine gun, presents an extreme threat to public safety,” said Police Chief Nelson Moya, Gainesville Police Department. “I commend our officers and federal partners for their dedicated work in bringing this case to justice. We will continue to stand firm against those who choose to endanger lives through criminal activity.”

“Drug trafficking is a dangerous endeavor and leads to increased violence in our communities,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter, Miami Field Division. “Law enforcement agencies in Florida continue to work together to get these armed and dangerous criminals off our streets and behind bars.”

“This sentence sends a clear message: if you bring violence, drugs, and illegal guns into Florida, you will be met with the full force of local, state, and federal law enforcement,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Mark Glass. “Working side by side with our partners, FDLE will continue to track down dangerous offenders and dismantle the criminal networks that put our communities at risk.”

“This is an incredible public safety win for residents of North Central Florida,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “We’re proud to have leveraged our expertise to help our local, state and federal partners bring this dangerous suspect to justice.”

Johnson received a sentence of 35 years and 3 months in prison, which will be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Johnson was also ordered for forfeit the firearm and conversion device seized.

Johnson also faces unrelated charges of attempted first degree murder involving a machinegun in the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court in and for Alachua County where he has entered a plea of not guilty and is presumed innocent. (Click here for Alachua Chronicle’s article on that incident.)

This conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Gainesville Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain and Eric Welch prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.