Executive Summary
- Four suspects, including two adults and two teenagers, were arrested on multiple felony charges following a state police investigation in Syracuse.
- Authorities seized fentanyl, cocaine, a loaded ‘ghost gun,’ two rifles, and over $70,000 in cash from a vehicle and a residence.
- The arrested individuals are Frederick L. Johnson, 54, Eric L. Johnson, 18, and two unnamed juveniles, aged 15 and 17.
- The adults were transported to the Onondaga County Justice Center, while the juveniles were arraigned in Youth Part Court.
Four suspects, including two teenagers, are facing multiple felony charges after a New York State Police investigation in Syracuse on November 13 resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of drugs, firearms, and cash. The operation was the culmination of an undercover investigation targeting narcotics and illegal weapons in the city.
State Police said that members of its Community Stabilization Unit, Violent Gang & Narcotics Enforcement Team, and Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit conducted a traffic stop and simultaneously executed a search warrant at a residence located at 115 Erie Street. The combined search of the vehicle and the residence yielded a substantial amount of illicit materials.
Authorities reported recovering five bricks of fentanyl, approximately 5.8 ounces of cocaine, and a loaded, privately made firearm, commonly known as a “ghost gun,” which was equipped with a large capacity ammunition magazine. Additionally, police seized two rifles, various drug paraphernalia, digital scales with cocaine residue, and U.S. currency estimated to be over $70,000.
Police arrested Frederick L. Johnson, 54, Eric L. Johnson, 18, a 17-year-old male, and a 15-year-old male, all from Syracuse. The individuals face an extensive list of charges related to drug and weapons possession.
Frederick L. Johnson, 54, was charged with: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 2nd and 3rd degrees, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th degrees, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree, three counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, and three counts of Failure to Safeguard a Rifle or Shotgun.
Eric L. Johnson, 18, was charged with: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 2nd degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd and 4th degrees, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree, and three counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia.
The 15-year-old and 17-year-old males each face identical charges, including: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 2nd and 3rd degrees, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd and 4th degrees, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree, and three counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia.
Following their arrest, Frederick L. Johnson and Eric L. Johnson were transported to the Onondaga County Justice Center to await arraignment, while the two juveniles were arraigned in Youth Part Court. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.