LI Bloods Gang Leader Responsible For 3 Non-Fatal Drug Overdoses Gets 280 Months In Prison: Feds

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — A Bloods gang leader and narcotics trafficker from Long Island, who was responsible for the distribution of cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin throughout Long Island, was sentenced last week to 280 months of imprisonment, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Gary Johnson, 43, of Bellport, was convicted following a four-week trial on 22 counts of a second superseding indictment charging him with narcotics distribution, including distribution that resulted in three non-fatal overdoses — two at a baseball field in Yaphank and one at a construction site in Saint James — as well as a firearms-related crime.

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One of attorneys, Gary Schoer of Syosset, declined comment.

Patch has reached out to his co-counsel, Emilee Sahli of Brooklyn.

United States Attorney for the Eastern District Joseph Nocella said Johnson's case was "a result of the outstanding work by the [Federal Bureau of Investigation], our local law enforcement partners and the prosecutors of this office," and he has been "held accountable for his role in a large-scale narcotics distribution operation involving fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine, and for distributing fentanyl and cocaine that caused three individuals to overdose in 2020."

He said that his office hopes the sentence "brings a measure of justice to the victims who thankfully survived and their families, and sends a clear message that those who distribute drugs," particularly those that cause overdoses, "will face severe consequences."

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge James Barnacle said that the sentencing "serves as a stark reminder that those who
distribute drugs in New York will be held accountable."

"The FBI New York Long Island Safe Streets Gang Task Force works tirelessly to bring drug traffickers to justice," he said. "Those who endeavor to follow in Johnson's footsteps will be stopped in their tracks, so that future victims may be spared."

Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said that the drug epidemic is fueled by people who are focused on making a profit, without regard for the devastating consequences their actions can have when those drugs reach
individuals who ultimately overdose."

He commended the U.S. Attorney's office "for ensuring Johnson will be spending time in prison for his crimes."

"We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to halt the flow of narcotics and hold drug dealers accountable for the selfish choices that put lives at risk," he added.

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

The drugs distributed by the defendant caused multiple victims to overdose, including three people who suffered overdoses in March and May 2020, according to prosecutors.

The jury convicted Johnson of multiple narcotics-distribution offenses, including three counts of distributing narcotics resulting in serious bodily injury, prosecutors said, adding that Johnson was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

That conviction arose from the recovery of a semi-automatic firearm from Johnson's residence during the execution of a search warrant, according to prosecutors.