Two Nashville Men Charged with Drug and Gun Offenses

NASHVILLE – A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging two individuals for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute approximately five pounds of methamphetamine in Nashville, Tennessee, announced United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee.

The indictment charges Brian Antonio Dotson, 45, and Lavantrez Zarqua Johnson, 28, both of Nashville, with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Johnson is also charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and Dotson is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On May 4, 2023, Dotson and Johnson were arrested in an operation by the Metro Nashville Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. MNPD detectives arranged to purchase five pounds of methamphetamine from Dotson. Dotson met with Johnson prior to the sale to obtain the methamphetamine. The defendants then drove separately to the neighborhood where the methamphetamine purchase would occur. Officers arrested Dotson at that time and a search of his car led to the recovery of five pounds of methamphetamine and two firearms.

After arresting Dotson, officers attempted to detain Johnson who fled in his car. Although officers deployed a spike strip that punctured his car’s tires, Johnson was able to escape. While fleeing, Johnson threw a bag out his car. When officers recovered the bag, they found three plastic bags containing a substance later confirmed to be cocaine. Officers apprehended Johnson a few miles away and discovered a four-year-old child in his car. Both defendants are detained in federal custody.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Herbert L. Bunton III is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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