Bossier City man sentenced to more than nine years in prison for gun, drug offenses
SHREVEPORT, La. — A Bossier City man was sentenced to more than nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing firearms as a convicted felon and possessing firearms during a drug trafficking offense, federal prosecutors said.
SHREVEPORT, La. — A Bossier City man was sentenced to more than nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing firearms as a convicted felon and possessing firearms during a drug trafficking offense, federal prosecutors said.
Melvin Lee Johnson, 23, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. He pleaded guilty on April 28.
His associate, Jarrod De'Angelo Stith, 23, also was sentenced Thursday in connection with the same incident. Stith received more than five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of firearms during a drug trafficking offense.
The case stemmed from a May 21, 2025, response by Bossier City police to a Bossier residence after neighbors reported loud music, drug use and disorderly conduct, according to court documents.
When officers arrived, they saw several people gathered near a black Nissan SUV. Johnson was sitting on the hood of the SUV near a backpack.
According to court documents, Stith threw the backpack over a fence. Officers recovered it and found 27 small bags containing about 400 grams of marijuana, along with a scale, empty bags used to package drugs and a loaded Micro Draco pistol.
Officers also recovered another stolen firearm during a pat-down of Stith, according to court documents.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller credited residents who reported the activity with helping law enforcement intervene.
“Members of our community did exactly what they should to protect their families and neighborhood—they stayed alert and worked together to report suspicious activity,” Keller said. “Their sense of responsibility and willingness to get involved helped law enforcement disrupt a dangerous situation and recover illegal drugs and firearms before someone was hurt or killed," Keller said in a news release.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Bossier City Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Allison C. Foster prosecuted the case with the assistance of legal assistant Amanda Morgan.
The case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice initiative that coordinates federal, state and local law enforcement efforts to address violent crime and other public safety concerns.