Former city firefighter gets probation on drug charge

Former city firefighter gets probation on drug charge

YOUNGSTOWN — A fired city firefighter indicted on felony marijuana possession and trafficking charges has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor attempted marijuana possession charge and placed on six months of nonreporting probation.

Andre Johnson, 26, formerly of North Fruit Street and now living in Encino, Calif., made his plea agreement and was sentenced Friday by Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Under the agreement, the prosecution dropped the trafficking charge and reduced the possession charge to attempted possession, a misdemeanor. The judge fined Johnson $250, which is to be deducted from the $540 in ill-gotten gains he forfeited.

The prosecution and defense agreed to recommend probation on the condition Johnson would waive his right to appeal his termination from the fire department. The city fired him because of what it said was his “apparent participation in or acquiescence to illegal drug activity” at his home.

For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.