Youngstown firefighter charged with drug trafficking

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Steffin Gantt

YOUNGSTOWN — A city firefighter shot in his North Fruit Street home has been charged with aggravated drug trafficking.

The charge against Andre “Dre” Johnson, 26, was filed today in municipal court. He will be arraigned Tuesday on the felony charge.

Johnson was taken into custody after Stefin Gantt, 20, of Warren, waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Gantt’s felonious assault charge will now be considered by a Mahoning County grand jury.

Gantt is accused of shooting Johnson in the face, stomach and leg on Nov. 14. Gantt was injured too, suffering a gunshot wound to his left forearm and losing part of his right ear.

During a search of Johnson’s house, Vice Squad officers found roughly a pound of marijuana in a duffel bag, a digital scale with marijuana residue, drug pipe, a loaded .25-caliber pistol and $500 cash in a night stand and smaller bags of marijuana.

Fire Chief John J. O’Neill Jr. was not immediately available to comment on Johnson’s employment status.