Ohio Man Shot At 3 Police Officers, Sentenced To 30 Years

CLEVELAND —Michael P. Johnson was sentenced to nearly three decades in prison for shooting at police officers and trying to carjack two people in Northeast Ohio. He was also convicted of having methamphetamine.

“This defendant put dozens of people at risk – the officers he fired upon, the innocent people he tried to carjack and the Akron residents simply passing by,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Nearly 30 years in prison is an appropriate and just result that should also deter others who so callously disregard the lives of law enforcement offices and innocent community members."

On Sept. 24, 2017, Johnson had 362 grams of methamphetamine in his possession, according to prosecutors. On Jan. 2, 2018, federal agents and Akron police tried to arrest Johnson on meth trafficking charges.

Officers stopped Johnson's car, but when he got out he fired a revolver at officers. He then ran off and tried to carjack two people at an Akron gas station. Officers caught up to him and took him into custody before he could steal one of the cars, according to the indictment.

When Johnson was taken into custody, he had 136 grams of methamphetamine on him, prosecutors said.

“This incident is an example of the grave danger that the men and women of the Akron Police Department face every day in service to their community. We are pleased that the defendant [was] made to answer for his behavior," Akron Police Chief Ken Ball said.

Johnson, 34,was found guilty of assault on law enforcement officers with a deadly weapon, one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of attempted carjacking and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

He was investigated by Akron police, the U.S. Marshals and the DEA.