Convicted Felon Sentenced To 8 Years In Federal Prison For Firearm Offense

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Foster Darnell Johnson, Sr., 37, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, hydrocodone, and large volumes of marijuana.  The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Removing firearms from the hands of violent felons, here an intoxicated drug trafficker who had twice been convicted of domestic battery, undoubtedly makes our community safer,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “The deputies of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are to be commended for their swift response to this volatile situation. With their dedicated efforts, we remain committed to fighting violent crime and holding criminals accountable for their conduct.”

On August 13, 2022, in the early morning hours, Johnson returned home with his wife from an evening of drinking.  A domestic dispute ensued, and Johnson fired a pistol down the hallway of the second story of the residence where three minor children had been sleeping.  Johnson then entered one of the minor children’s bedrooms with the pistol, at which point his wife dialed 911, in fear of her and her children’s lives.  Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the residence and secured a search warrant.  During the search of the residence, law enforcement discovered two shotguns, one of which was an AR-style shotgun, co-located with over eighteen pounds of marijuana, crack cocaine, hydrocodone, digital scales, and Ziploc baggies, in Johnson’s bedroom.  Deputies also located the pistol used during the domestic violence incident, the discharged casing, and a significant volume of ammunition.  Johnson was a prior convicted felon, had two previous convictions of battery domestic violence, and was prohibited from possessing firearms. 

Johnson’s imprisonment will be followed by 3-years of supervised release during which he will be required to participate in anger management and domestic violence counseling.

This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Callahan prosecuted the case.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.