New York: The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, revealed a new Indictment accusing several individuals of drug and weapon crimes in Monticello, New York. This comes after the discovery of body armor, ammunition, and around 30 firearms at DWAYNE JOHNSON’s home.
JOHNSON, previously arrested on May 24, 2023, faces charges including conspiracy to engage in narcotics trafficking, possession of short-barreled rifles in connection with the narcotics conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, unlawful possession of body armor, aiding and abetting the illegal interstate transfer of firearms, and aiding and abetting firearms trafficking.
JESSICA FRANCIS, previously arrested on September 14, 2023, is accused of participating in a narcotics conspiracy alongside JOHNSON. LORI COONEY was detained in Scranton, Pennsylvania today for the illegal interstate transfer of guns to JOHNSON. TERESA SANTINI was arrested in Milford, Pennsylvania today for trafficking firearms to JOHNSON and unlawfully transferring firearms across state lines to JOHNSON.
Santini and Cooney appeared in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy. JOHNSON and FRANCIS are scheduled to appear in front of U.S. District Court Judge Vincent Briccetti on March 13, 2024.
According to the Complaint filed earlier in this matter and the Superseding Indictment revealed today:
From October 2016 to May 2023, JOHNSON, FRANCIS, and other individuals conspired to possess with the purpose to distribute more than 1,000 kg of marijuana. In 2023, law enforcement obtained a warrant to search JOHNSON’s Gmail Account. The account contained various photos and videos related to JOHNSON’s marijuana trafficking operation.
This included videos of JOHNSON handling large amounts of cash in a specific room in his home, pictures of marijuana packaged for sale, and pounds of marijuana stored on tables and in a safe in the house. One video shows JOHNSON holding piles of US currency, counting a stack of bills, and stating that it requires significant effort to accumulate that sum of money. JOHNSON then shifts the camera to the walls filled with guns and says, “you must safeguard it, however.” JOHNSON is also recorded in a video threatening to use firearms against anyone who interferes with his finances, mentioning a 12-gauge shotgun, a 30-06 rifle, and a 308 rifle.
While the conspiracy was ongoing, COONEY and SANTINI illegally transferred various firearms to JOHNSON, including five pistols, the lower receiver of a short-barreled rifle, and the upper receiver of a second short-barreled rifle, all from Pennsylvania.
JOHNSON, 44, from Monticello, New York, faces charges related to a conspiracy involving over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Additionally, he is charged with possessing a short-barreled rifle in connection with the narcotics conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to be served consecutively to any sentence for the underlying conspiracy, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Other charges include unlawful possession of firearms (maximum sentence of 15 years), unlawful possession of ammunition (maximum sentence of 15 years), firearms trafficking (maximum sentence of 15 years), unlawful interstate transfer of firearms (maximum sentence of five years), and unlawful possession of body armor (maximum sentence of three years).
Francis, aged 35 from Monticello, New York, is accused with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilos of marijuana. This offense has a required minimum punishment of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of life imprisonment.
Cooney, aged 57, from Scranton, Pennsylvania, faces charges for the illegal transfer of firearms across state lines, with a maximum penalty of five years in jail.
Santini, aged 45, from Milford, Pennsylvania, faces charges of guns trafficking, punishable by up to 15 years in jail, and unauthorized interstate transfer of firearms, punishable by up to five years in prison.
Congress sets the minimum and maximum potential penalties. The judge will determine the actual sentencing of the accused.
Mr. Williams commended the exceptional investigative efforts of the FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York State Police.