Montgomery man sentenced to federal prison for firearm and drug trafficking offenses (DOJ)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Today, United States Attorney Thomas Govan announced that a Montgomery man has been sentenced to federal prison following his guilty plea to possessing firearms as a convicted felon and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On September 2, 2026, a federal judge sentenced Ryan Deleon Johnson, 48, of Montgomery, Alabama, to 106 months in federal prison. Following his term of imprisonment, Johnson will serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to Johnson's plea agreement and other court records, on June 13, 2025, agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Johnson, who had outstanding arrest warrants dating back to December 2024. As agents approached the vehicle, Johnson fled, leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit.

During the pursuit, Johnson ran numerous stop signs and repeatedly swerved into oncoming traffic, including driving directly towards pursuing patrol vehicles, in an effort to evade capture. Johnson eventually drove onto Interstate 65 North, where he continued driving erratically and struck a patrol vehicle. He subsequently lost control of his vehicle, left the interstate, and came to a stop on the shoulder, where agents took him into custody.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of two firearms, ammunition, cocaine, and marijuana. During his May 11, 2026, plea hearing, Johnson admitted that he possessed the cocaine and marijuana with the intent to distribute them and that he knowingly possessed the firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.

Because Johnson had previously been convicted of a felony, federal law prohibited him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) investigated this case, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Christine Levi prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges.

As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.