Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun Crimes

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Torriano Arzareus Johnson, 34, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base, also known as "crack," and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 11, 2026, Johnson was a passenger in a vehicle when it was pulled over by law enforcement officers in Huntington. As part of his guilty plea, Johnson admitted that once the vehicle stopped, he fled from the vehicle with a backpack that he threw over a fence as he ran from officers. Johnson further admitted that officers captured him and found in his pant leg approximately 29 grams of crack in a bag and $3,000 he obtained from selling drugs. Officers executed a search warrant for the backpack and found it contained a loaded Glock 43x 9mm pistol. Johnson admitted that he possessed the firearm to protect himself, the drugs, and the cash.

Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute crack, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1,250,000.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 3:26-cr-41.

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