ANCHORAGE MAN INDICTED BY FEDERAL GRAND JURY
ON CHARGES OF DISTRIBUTION OF CRACK COCAINE

Anchorage, Alaska – United States Attorney Nelson P. Cohen announced that on March 18, 2008, Derrick Wayne Johnson of Anchorage, Alaska, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage on charges of distribution of controlled substances. The indictment was unsealed on April 4, 2008 when the defendant was arraigned on the charges.

The two-count indictment named Johnson, age 36, of 524 Irwin Street, Apartment 6, Anchorage, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on two occasions, Johnson distributed 5 grams or more of crack.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Erin E. White, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. SAUSA White is one of two prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office who are funded by the Municipality of Anchorage for the purpose of prosecuting gang-related and violent crime cases.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.