A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging two Nashville men with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Brian Antonio Dotson, 45, and Lavantrez Zarqua Johnson, 28, were arrested on May 4, 2023, in a joint operation by the Metro Nashville Police Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The indictment alleges that Dotson and Johnson conspired to possess and distribute approximately five pounds of methamphetamine in Nashville.
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In addition to the conspiracy charge, Johnson faces an additional charge for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
Dotson is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On May 4, 2023, Dotson and Johnson were arrested in an operation by the Metro Nashville Police Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. MNPD detectives arranged to purchase five pounds of methamphetamine from Dotson.
Dotson met with Johnson prior to the sale to obtain the methamphetamine. The defendants then drove separately to the neighborhood where the methamphetamine purchase would occur. Officers arrested Dotson at that time, and a search of his car led to the recovery of five pounds of methamphetamine and two firearms.
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After arresting Dotson, officers attempted to detain Johnson, who fled in his car. Although officers deployed a spike strip that punctured his car’s tires, Johnson was able to escape.
While fleeing, Johnson threw a bag out of his car. When officers recovered the bag, they found three plastic bags containing a substance later confirmed to be cocaine. Officers apprehended Johnson a few miles away and discovered a four-year-old child in his car.
Both defendants are detained in federal custody.
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