Career Criminal Convicted after Two Trials

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Career Gang Unit obtained multiple convictions against a career offender who caught two sets of drug dealing cases.  Vernon Dee Johnson, Jr., 56, was convicted of Possession with Intent to Sell Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Sell Fentanyl, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Violent Felon.  Judge Hector Sanchez set the case for sentencing on September 18 where Johnson is facing a minimum of thirty-two years in prison.  This sentence must run consecutive to a twenty-eight-year sentence Johnson is already serving from a previous methamphetamine resale trial last July.

In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys TaKisha Fitzgerald and Chris Scruggs explained to the jury that on January 24, 2025, Knoxville Police Department Detective Jonathan Gomez obtained a search warrant for Johnson’s Cherry Street residence based on probable cause that Johnson was selling drugs from within his home.  During the search, detectives located resale quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.  Officers also located a loaded 9 mm handgun.  When interviewed by Det. Gomez, Johnson admitted to selling drugs.  At the time of the search warrant, Johnson was on bond for another set of charges where on September 29, 2023, he was caught by KPD officers in possession of thirty-one grams of methamphetamine.

“Career criminals should expect to face lengthy prison sentences when they continuously refuse to obey the law,” said DA Allen.

Johnson has a criminal history of twelve prior felony theft, burglary, and drug offenses that began in 1989.  In addition to finding Johnson guilty, the jury assessed fines totaling $152,500.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinators Marilyn Wilson and Sheri Burkett and Legal Secretary Cathleen Wilson aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.