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Edgard, LA — On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, Judge Nghana Lewis sentenced Kayon Johnson, 45 of LaPlace, to twenty-five (25) years at hard labor, with the Department of Corrections on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, one count of Possession of Fentanyl, and one count of Possession of Morphine.  The charges arose out of a St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office narcotics investigation occurring in August of 2019.

During the investigation, Sheriff’s Narcotics Detectives were able to substantiate information indicating that Johnson was involved in illegal drug transactions within St. John the Baptist Parish. The deputies were able to conduct controlled purchases of heroin from Johnson on two separate occasions.  Later, Detectives contacted Johnson during a traffic stop and arrested him on an outstanding child support warrant, and after being apprised of the investigation into his drug dealings, Johnson admitted that he had heroin in the car, under the driver’s seat. Johnson further admitted to officers that he planned to sell the illegal narcotics for nine hundred dollars.

Based upon the information obtained during the investigation, along with the statements made by Johnson, Deputies were able to secure search warrants for both Johnson’s home and vehicle.  During the search of the vehicle, Deputies located heroin in the precise location as described by Johnson. The search of Johnson’s home uncovered additional heroin along with fentanyl, and morphine, which Johnson later admitted belonged to him.

On Wednesday, Johnson pled guilty before Judge Lewis in lieu of facing a St. John the Baptist Parish jury. Jury selection was scheduled to begin that same afternoon. Prosecutors for the St. John District Attorney’s Office informed the Court that the plea in this matter would have no bearing on other criminal matters that Johnson has currently pending in St. John. The other criminal matters include a charge of Second-Degree Murder, stemming from a second, unrelated narcotics arrest, for which Johnson is currently scheduled for trial on June 20, 2023.

The illegal use, possession, lacing, and distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl continues to present a serious threat to public safety.  St. John the Baptist Parish Prosecutors have noted that the increased street-level presence of these substances has been observed in the recent rise in overdoses and overdose fatalities in both our local community and throughout the nation. St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney Bridget Dinvaut commends the diligent work of the narcotics detectives in collecting sufficient and necessary evidence in this case, which is needed to seek the fair administration justice, prosecute the matter beyond a reasonable doubt, and obtain a conviction in order to protect the public.

Prosecuting the case were Assistant District Attorneys Geoffrey Michel and J. Philip Prescott, Jr. of the District Attorney’s Office.  The defendant, Kayon Johnson was represented by Katie Ellis of the Law Office of James Williams, L.L.C.