Dallas Man Sentenced to Maximum Penalty of 10 Years in Federal Prison and Remanded into Custody for Illegally Possessing Firearm

DALLAS – Anwar Johnson, 31, of Dallas, was sentenced on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis to the statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison following his guilty plea in May 2012 to an indictment charging possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas. After sentencing, Judge Solis remanded Johnson into the custody of the U.S. Marshal.

In early December 2010, a Dallas police officer conducting surveillance observed Johnson, who had previously been convicted of Robbery, Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Controlled Substance, move a bag containing 475 grams of marijuana and a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol from the trunk of one car into another. While on pre-trial release, Johnson was arrested for Aggravated Assault after allegedly repeatedly hitting two women with a metal baton. At sentencing, Judge Solis noted that the 10-year sentence was appropriate because of Johnson's extensive criminal history.

The case was investigated by ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cara Pierce.