United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

MAJOR METHAMPHETAMINE DEALER IN DALLAS AND WICHITA FALLS SENTENCED TO A TOTAL OF 14 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON,
WITHOUT PAROLE, ON DRUG AND FIREARMS CONVICTIONS

DALLAS — Billy Shane Johnson was sentenced to a total of 14 years in federal prison on drug and firearms charges by U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Johnson, 31, of Wichita Falls, Texas, pled guilty in February to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Yesterday, Judge Godbey sentenced Johnson to 14 years on the drug charge and 10 years on the firearms charge, to run concurrently.

In March 2007, after several months of surveillance, agents followed Johnson to his drug source in Dallas. Agents watched Johnson enter a room at Studio 6 Motel on Stemmons Trail. Agents then saw Johnson exit the room with a black bag and get into a pickup truck. Agents swarmed onto the scene and arrested all the parties involved. Johnson provided a detailed account of his involvement in the distribution of methamphetamine nationwide. A search of the truck revealed that the black back contained approximately 444 grams of methamphetamine. Johnson, a convicted felon and registered sex offender, also had an outstanding state warrant on other charges.

That same day, Department of Public Safety Narcotics agents executed a state search warrant at Johnson’s residence on Las Vegas Trail in Wichita Falls, and found a .357 revolver, a 9mm pistol, assorted ammunition, digital scales, $2000 in cash, drug ledgers, surveillance cameras and plastic baggies.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon N. McCarthy prosecuted the case.

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