Long Island Bloods Gang Leader Convicted Of Drug Dealing That Led To 3 Non-Fatal ODs: DOJ

LONG ISLAND, NY — After a four-week trial, a federal jury convicted a Bloods gang leader from Long Island on 22 counts of a second superseding indictment charging him with narcotics distribution, including instances that led to three non-fatal overdoses, as well as a firearms-related crime, the U.S. Attorney's office said Wednesday.

When sentenced, Gary Johnson, 41, of Bellport, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and up to life in prison, according to prosecutors.

Patch has reached out to his attorneys, Gary Schoer of Syosset and Emilee Sahli of Brooklyn, for comment.

Between June 2013 and November 2020, Johnson, a leader in the G-Shine set of the Bloods based in Suffolk County, sold fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin throughout Long Island, prosecutors said.

The drugs Johnson sold resulted in multiple victims experiencing overdoses, including three overdoses in March and May 2020, according to prosecutors.

The jury returned a verdict convicting Johnson of multiple counts of distributing heroin, cocaine, and/or fentanyl, prosecutors said, adding that in connection with the overdoses, Johnson was convicted of three counts of narcotics distribution resulting in serious bodily injury.

Johnson was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, prosecutors said.

This charge arose from evidence recovered from Johnson’s residence when law enforcement executed a search warrant and recovered a semi-automatic firearm, according to prosecutors.

United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella said Johnson "peddled his potentially lethal drugs across Long Island while lining his pockets with profits, causing life-threatening injuries to several members of our community in the process."

"This office, along with our law enforcement partners, remains committed to finding, arresting, and prosecuting the drug traffickers and gang members who seek to profit from the ongoing opioid crisis and stopping all of the devastating effects these narcotics have brought with them," he added.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Assistant Director in Charge Christopher Raia said that "for years," Johnson "carelessly supplied potentially lethal quantities of heroin and fentanyl to turn a profit" and "by distributing highly addictive narcotics," Johnson "demonstrated a disregard to communal health and endangered countless residents, even causing three individuals to overdose."

"With the assistance from our law enforcement partners, the FBI will never cease its mission to disrupt all criminal enterprises poisoning our communities with dangerous drugs," he said.

Suffolk County Police Department Commissioner Kevin Catalina said that "nothing can take away the suffering of those who experienced life-threatening impacts caused by Johnson’s greed, let this sentence bring some solace that his crimes will not go unpunished."

“We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to ensure narcotics trafficking is ceased," he said.