Updated February 24, 2023

38-Year-Old Louisiana Man Convicted by Federal Jury for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin, Marijuana, and Methamphetamine, Acquitted of Firearms Charge

Louisiana - United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr., announced the conviction of Xavier Johnson, age 38, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Johnson was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 22, 2019, and charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The jury unanimously convicted Johnson of conspiracy to knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine after a three-day trial before Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick beginning January 30, 2023. According to the evidence presented at trial, Johnson conspired with inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola and others to obtain heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine from sources of supply in California, and then possess and distribute the drugs to Angola inmates and other non-incarcerated individuals in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and elsewhere. Evidence presented at trial by federal and state law enforcement officials, as well as information obtained through forensic data analysis, corroborated witness testimony that Johnson was involved in supervising at least three controlled substance couriers, personally distributing controlled substances, and attempting to smuggle controlled substances to Angola inmates.

Johnson was found not guilty of the charges of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Johnson now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, as well as significant fines, forfeiture, and a minimum 3-year term of supervised release as a result of his convictions.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Louisiana Department of Corrections, including Angola staff, the 20th Judicial District Attorney's Office, and the St. Francisville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul L. Pugliese and April Leon Johnson prosecuted the case.

This article has been updated from the original to add information about a not-guilty verdict on the charge of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. 

Originally published February 6, 2023.