A Gainesville man was sentenced to 35 years and three months in a federal prison for drug trafficking and firearm charges, which included possession of a machine gun.

According to a Northern District of Florida U.S. Attorney’s Office press release sent Wednesday, a federal court sentenced Lagarius Joseph Johnson, 21, for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of controlled substances, and possession of a machinegun, and possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Johnson’s sentence will be followed by 10 years of supervised release.

“Operation Take Back America is a promise by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi that we will do everything in our power to stop those who pose a danger to our communities,” said U.S. Attorney John Heekin in the press release. “Keeping a dangerous offender like this one off our streets is yet another step in fulfilling that promise. I am proud of the work of our brave state and federal law enforcement partners who investigated this case, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute these offenders to keep our communities safe.”

Johnson was found guilty by a federal jury in May after evidence at the trial demonstrated that Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies and Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers were conducting surveillance of the Majestic Oaks apartments due to reports that Johnson and other suspects were in possession of firearms, including a machine gun.

Due to his prior criminal history, Johnson was prohibited under state law from possessing a firearm. Law enforcement identified Johnson and approached him, but Johnson turned around and pointed with his hand inside his jacket pocket, making officers believe he was armed with a pistol.

Officers identified themselves and Johnson fled. Law enforcement later apprehended Johnson using a police K-9. As he ran, Johnson threw a backpack, cellphone and pistol, and officers discovered a distribution quantity of marijuana, a digital scale and empty baggies inside Johnson’s backpack.

After officers examined the Glock pistol that Johnson had, they discovered a machine gun conversion device that rendered the pistol fully automatic. Officers obtained a search warrant and reviewed material from Johnson’s cellphone, along with his social media accounts, which revealed multiple photos of Johnson posing with guns, advertising marijuana for sale and with large amounts of cash, on the day of his arrest.

On April 16, Johnson was convicted during a previous trial in the U.S. District Court on charges of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of controlled substances and possession of a machine gun.

“The combination of illegal narcotics and illegally possessed firearms, especially a machine gun, presents an extreme threat to public safety,” said Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya in the press release. “I commend our officers and federal partners for their dedicated work in bringing this case to justice. We will continue to stand firm against those who choose to endanger lives through criminal activity.”

Johnson also faces unrelated charges of attempted first-degree murder involving a machine gun in the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court in and for Alachua County. He has entered a plea of not guilty and is presumed innocent.

“Drug trafficking is a dangerous endeavor and leads to increased violence in our communities,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Deanne Reuter, Miami Field Division, in the press release. “Law enforcement agencies in Florida continue to work together to get these armed and dangerous criminals off our streets and behind bars.”

This conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by ACSO, GPD, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James McCain and Eric Welch prosecuted the case.