Man gets 17-year federal sentence for methamphetamine conviction

Christopher Ryan Johnson
Christopher Ryan Johnson

TEXARKANA, Arkansas - A man who was arrested in late 2018 near Hope, Arkansas, with 22 pounds of methamphetamine was sentenced Tuesday to more than 17 years in federal prison.

Christopher Ryan Johnson, 37, was driving a white Chevrolet truck when Arkansas State olicetrooper Andrew May pulled him over on Interstate 30 the night of Oct. 22, 2018, according to a plea agreement. May suspected something illicit was hidden in a locked toolbox in the truck's bed and called for help to gain access to it.

Johnson, who gave consent to search the truck, denied he had a key for the toolbox. As May and other troopers searched the truck and worked to drill out the lock on the toolbox, Johnson darted across the highway.

A trooper narrowly pulled Johnson from the path of an oncoming truck as Johnson fought the officers. During the struggle, Johnson managed to pull a knife from his pocket. May's fingers were cut by Johnson's knife and required stitches. Troopers used a taser to subdue Johnson and take him into custody.

Inside the toolbox the troopers found 22 pounds of methamphetamine.

Johnson pleaded guilty in September 2019 to possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. He appeared via video for sentencing Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Susan Hickey in the Texarkana Division of the Western District of Arkansas.

Hickey imposed a sentence of 210 months at Tuesday's hearing. There is no parole from a federal prison term though offenders may earn up to 54 days of good time credit per year.

Following release from federal prison, Johnson will serve five years of supervised release. Should he violate the conditions of his release or commit a new crime, Johnson could be ordered to serve more time.

Johnson was represented by James Stayton of Prescott, Arkansas. Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Jones represented the government.

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