Firefighter will face predisciplinary hearing

The firefighter’s actions harmed the department’s image, the chief says.

YOUNGSTOWN — The firefighter shot at home, and then charged with aggravated drug trafficking after police found more than a pound of marijuana, is scheduled for a predisciplinary hearing Tuesday.

Fire Chief John J. O’Neill Jr. sent a letter to 26-year-old Andre “Dre” Johnson this week advising him of the administrative charges he faces that could lead to termination.

The charges are failure of good behavior, conduct unbecoming a representative of the fire department, malfeasance, violation of oath of office and committing acts that led to confinement or imprisonment.

The hearing is expected to take place in the law department with an impartial hearing officer.

Johnson, off duty at the time, was shot in the face, stomach and leg at his North Fruit Street home Nov. 14. A struggle took place in the basement, where furniture was overturned and blood was found on the carpet.

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

Photo

Steffin Gantt

Detectives believe Johnson was shot by Stefin Gantt, 20, of Warren, who was at the house to buy drugs. Gantt is charged with felonious assault.

“At worst, you have direct involvement in illegal drug activities or, at best, that you have chosen to associate with individuals participating in illegal activities that have resulted in substantial harm to the image of the Youngstown Fire Department and violated the public trust bestowed upon you as a firefighter,” O’Neill said in the letter. “Your actions and involvement in this incident constitute serious offenses for which progressive discipline is not appropriate.”

Johnson is free on $10,000 bond and recovering from his injuries. He is due back in municipal court Dec. 27 for a preliminary hearing.