Bakersfield Man Sentenced to 22 Years for Leading Multi-State Meth Trafficking Operation
A Bakersfield, California, man has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison without parole for leading a significant drug trafficking organization operating in Missouri and Oklahoma. William D. Johnson, 48, was convicted of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine from May 2019 to January 2021 in Newton, Laclede, Lawrence, and Greene Counties.
According to court documents, Johnson was found to be using a storage unit that contained a staggering 231 pounds of methamphetamine, two rifles, and nearly $500,000 in cash. In addition, two residences connected to Johnson were searched by law enforcement officers, who seized a quarter of a pound of methamphetamine, three handguns, and over $40,000 in cash.
Further evidence against Johnson came to light when he was stopped by Joplin, MO police officers on June 12, 2019, and found in possession of 90.63 grams of methamphetamine and $16,327 in cash. A subsequent search of his vehicle in Lebanon, MO on May 1, 2020, led to the discovery of drug residue and a Diamond Back 9mm pistol. Officers also found a backpack associated with Johnson, containing approximately 180 grams of methamphetamine, a stolen Ruger .380-caliber firearm, and $33,234 in cash.
When Johnson was finally arrested on January 28, 2021, he was found in possession of a smoking device with methamphetamine residue, two cell phones, and $11,375 in cash.
Johnson is not the only individual to face justice in this case. Three other defendants have already been sentenced. Douglas S. Ward, 35, of Lebanon, MO, received a 20-year prison sentence without parole on October 17, 2022. Rita M. Glasgow, 33, of Joplin, MO, was sentenced to 10 years without parole on June 8, 2023. Joshua T. Davenport, 42, of Miami, Oklahoma, received a sentence of five years and nine months without parole on June 12, 2023.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon and investigated by a variety of law enforcement agencies, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, local sheriff’s departments, police departments, and federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, which seeks to identify, disrupt, and dismantle major criminal organizations. By using a multi-agency approach led by prosecutors, OCDETF aims to combat the most significant threats to the United States.
For more information about the OCDETF Program, please visit the official website of the U.S. Department of Justice.
The conviction and sentencing of William D. Johnson send a strong message that law enforcement agencies are committed to combating drug trafficking and holding those responsible accountable for their actions. The collaborative efforts of various agencies are essential in dismantling organized criminal networks and making communities safer from the harmful effects of drugs.
While this case marks a significant victory in the fight against drug trafficking, it also serves as a reminder that the issue persists and requires ongoing attention and resources. By remaining vigilant and continuing to address the root causes of drug trafficking, law enforcement agencies can make a lasting impact on the communities they serve.
