Pikesville Man Exiled to 20 Years in Prison on Armed Robbery and Drug Charges

Baltimore, Maryland — U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Brian Johnson, age 35, of Pikesville, Maryland, today to 20 years in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiring to commit six armed robberies of businesses totaling just over $1,280 and conspiring to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base (crack) and marijuana. Judge Bennett also found that Johnson is a career offender based on previous convictions for murder and drug distribution.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge Marino F. Vidoli of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Baltimore Field Division; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III of the Baltimore City Police Department; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein, and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.

According to his plea agreement, Johnson conspired with others to commit six armed robberies totaling approximately $1,283 of the following businesses: approximately $623 from the McDonalds at 8227 Liberty Road, Baltimore County, on December 23, 2009; approximately $142 from the Burger King at 4400 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore City, on December 22, 2009; approximately $112 from the Dollar Tree store at 4400 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore City also on December 22, 2009; approximately $120 from the Wendy’s at 10109 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore County on December 18, 2009; approximately $140 from the same Dollar Tree store on December 28, 2009; and approximately $150 from the McDonald’s at 528 Cranbrook Road, Baltimore County on December 30, 2009.

Additionally, from 1996 to 2009, Johnson conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base (crack) and marijuana. At times, Johnson received one or more of these drugs for distribution inside prisons, and distributed or aided the distribution of these drugs on streets in Baltimore.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Baltimore County Police Department; Baltimore City Police Department; Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office and Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Robert R. Harding, who prosecuted the case.