Christopher "CJ" Johnson, a key figure in a methamphetamine distribution network spanning southwest Virginia and eastern Tennessee, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. This sentence will commence following his release from the Georgia Department of Corrections, where he is currently serving a 25-year term.
In 2020, Johnson and Noah Bryan Horn were apprehended in Georgia with substantial quantities of methamphetamine, firearms, and heroin. Despite being incarcerated, Johnson continued to orchestrate drug operations using a contraband cell phone to coordinate with accomplices outside prison walls. These associates traveled to Georgia to collect drugs from Johnson's contacts and distributed them across Virginia and Tennessee.
Johnson played a significant role in the local drug market during this period, handling not only methamphetamine but also fentanyl and ecstasy.
Numerous individuals involved in this conspiracy have pleaded guilty. They include residents from both Virginia and Tennessee: Noah Bryan Horn, Nicholas Alexander Courtney, Michael Paul Brown, Jeremy Wayne Maxfield, Kenneth Lee Trivette, Olivia Abigail Coleman, Kayla Cheyanne Winebarger, Sheenah Amber Rogers, Joey Dean Webb, Diamond Snow Booher, Amber Leigh Phipps, Morgan Paige Perry, Eric Dale Whisman, Kedrick Lee Dingus, Christopher Michael Sullivan, Woodrow America Ritchie, Ashley Lynn Young, Patricia Ann Smoot, and Tabitha Nichole Satterfield.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh alongside Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division. The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Virginia State Police; various sheriff’s offices; police departments in Bristol (Virginia), Sullivan County (Tennessee), as well as the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force; and the Georgia State Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corey Hall and Whit Pierce are leading the prosecution efforts for this case.