CEDAR CITY — An accused drug trafficker from California who was arrested following a traffic stop north of Cedar City last June has been sentenced to serve 1-15 years in Utah State Prison.
Kaseem Johnson, 45, was sentenced on Monday by 5th District Judge Matthew L. Bell.
According to the probable cause statement filed in support of his arrest, Johnson was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over by a Utah Highway Patrol trooper on Interstate 15 on the afternoon of June 3, 2022, for an improper lane change and window tint violation.
During the subsequent search of the vehicle, officers reportedly found 1,000 pills of suspected fentanyl hidden inside two one-gallon jars of tomato sauce. The search also yielded small amounts of heroin and cocaine, along with 74 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Johnson was initially charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, a second-degree felony, five counts of misdemeanor drug possession and one count of providing false identification, also a misdemeanor.
Six weeks after his arrest, on July 18, 2022, Johnson pleaded guilty to two second-degree felony drug possession charges, with the remaining counts being dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Meanwhile, the driver of the vehicle, identified as Kathleen Bowen, 38, initially faced an array of similar charges. However, all counts against her were dismissed on July 18, 2022, also in accordance with Johnson’s plea agreement. The pair, although not married, are apparently in a relationship.
“He came forward and said she had no knowledge that he was transporting the drugs and that he would take responsibility,” Iron County Attorney Chad Dotson explained to Cedar City News.
During Monday’s sentencing hearing, defense attorney Perry Bsharah asked the court to lessen his client’s sentence in favor of treatment rather than imprisonment. He cited Johnson’s history of drug addiction and said he had been doing well since enrolling in an inpatient treatment program in St. George the week before.
However, Judge Bell pointed to Johnson’s history of drug convictions in California and said he’d already been given multiple chances to change his ways.
“Mr. Johnson, this is a situation of your past really catching up to you,” Bell said as he imposed the sentence.
Although Johnson was given between 1-15 years for each count, Bell said the two terms would be allowed to run concurrently. How much time Johnson ends up serving in prison will ultimately be up to the Utah Board of Pardons.
The court imposed no fines or fees and told Johnson he had 30 days to file a written notice of appeal if he so chooses.
Bell also recommended that Johnson take advantage of any drug treatment programs available while incarcerated.
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