A Houston resident, Johna Robinson, is facing federal charges for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck announced on March 13.
The case stems from a murder investigation at a Houston apartment complex where authorities found a victim shot to death. According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement linked a vehicle associated with Robinson to the shooting. Authorities later located Robinson at a nearby residence and observed him leaving in another vehicle before stopping him for a traffic violation. During the stop, officers allegedly found a loaded Taurus .38-caliber revolver in his waistband.
Court documents state that Robinson has prior federal convictions for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances in the Northern District of Florida and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine in the Southern District of Texas. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. The complaint also alleges that during an earlier traffic stop in July 2025, Robinson fled but was soon apprehended; police reportedly found nearly one kilogram of methamphetamine in his vehicle intended for pill pressing—a method often used in counterfeit pharmaceutical production—and communications related to drug trafficking.
If convicted, Robinson could face up to life imprisonment on the drug charge with a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and up to $20 million in fines. The firearm charge carries up to 15 years imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines. The FBI led the investigation with support from the Houston Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron H. Black is prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas has included notable figures such as Alamdar Hamdani and Ryan Patrick among its former leaders according to the official history page. The office operates locations in Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen and Brownsville as described on its official website. It is part of the U.S. Department of Justice under the Attorney General according to its official website, employs more than 200 attorneys covering 43 counties with over nine million residents as detailed on its official website, and focuses on prosecuting federal crimes as well as handling civil cases for the government according to its official website. Alamdar Hamdani served as U.S. Attorney from 2022 through 2025 as noted on its official history page.
Marck said: “A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.”
