WATERBURY — A federal grand jury in Bridgeport has indicted a Waterbury man on charges of unlawful possession of firearms by a felon and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, officials said Thursday.
D’Metrius Johnson, also known as D’Metrius Woodward and “Meech,” 29, was arraigned and pleaded not guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford.
Following his arrest on state charges last November, Johnson has been in custody.
The indictment, announced by United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery and Special Agent in Charge James Ferguson of the ATF Boston Field Division, was returned on June 20.
Johnson was sentenced in 2014 to 60 months in federal prison for a narcotics trafficking conspiracy and was under supervised release at the time of his latest arrest.
Authorities stated that during his arrest by Brookfield Police on Nov. 21, 2022, for allegedly stealing catalytic converters, a search of Johnson’s residence yielded two semiautomatic pistols, a handgun, ammunition, about 89 grams of cocaine, and ecstasy pills.
Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon is a federal offense carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, while possession with intent to distribute controlled substances can lead to a 20-year term.
Johnson could face additional penalties for violating supervised release terms.
U.S. Attorney Avery emphasized that an indictment is merely an allegation and the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The ATF, Waterbury Police Department, and Brookfield Police Department are investigating the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale prosecuting.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, aiming to reduce gun violence and improve community safety.
