An Oxford man with a long history of violent felonies and sexual offender status was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison after a raid on his camper revealed a big stockpile of narcotics and a loaded firearm.
Last Wednesday, Judge Mary P. Hatcher sentenced Clyde Edward Johnson Jr., 54, as a persistent violent felony offender. In April, a jury found Johnson guilty of trafficking cocaine, trafficking cathinones (MDMA), possessing a handgun or ammunition by a convicted felon, owning a location for the trafficking, sale, or manufacturing of a controlled substance, and possessing drug paraphernalia.
The life sentences are the result of a February 15, 2023 raid on a property at 10294 NE 12th Drive in Oxford. Detectives from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Squad were investigating ongoing narcotics sales at the location and obtained a search warrant.
As investigators prepared to execute the warrant, they performed a traffic check on Johnson and discovered him in possession of a key to a fifth-wheel camper parked on the target property.
When law enforcement opened the trailer, they discovered drugs packaged for sale dispersed around the living area and bedroom. According to the arrest record, the large seizure contained 572 grams of MDMA, more than 44 grams of cocaine, 224 grams of marijuana, approximately 37 grams of oxycodone, and a variety of prescription medicines, including clonazepam.
Detectives discovered a loaded Ruger 9mm EC9 handgun and 11 rounds of unfired 9mm ammo concealed behind the kitchen sink.
A criminal history check conducted at the time of his arrest indicated Johnson had 24 prior Florida felony convictions dating back to 1989, including violent crimes, property crimes, and sexual offenses that required him to register as a sexual offender.
“We have seen countless examples of how drugs destroy lives and devastate communities.” Our office is grateful to Judge Hatcher for recognizing the gravity of this defendant’s crimes, taking into account his extensive violent history, and ultimately ensuring our community’s safety from any potential further harm caused by his criminal acts,” said Chief Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie. “With two life sentences, he will no longer be able to profit from this illicit drug enterprise.”
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