2 Nashville men indicted on gun, drug charges over 5 pounds of meth

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Two Nashville men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for attempting to distribute five pounds of methamphetamine, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.

According to U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Michael C. Leventis, Brian Dotson, 45, and Lavantrez Johnson, both of Nashville, where charged in a superseding indictment for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute the drugs.

Johnson is also charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, and Dotson is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The two were arrested on May 4, 2023, by the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), Tennessee Bureau and Investigation (TBI) and the DEA, according to the DOJ. Metro officers arranged to purchase five pounds of meth from Dotson in the joint operation.

Dotson then reportedly met with Johnson to obtain the drugs. The two drove separately to the sale location, where Dotson was apprehended. Johnson, however, fled in his car, evading arrest even after officers deployed a spike strip.

While he was fleeing, Johnson reportedly threw a bag out of his car. When officers recovered the bag, they found three plastic bags containing a substance later confirmed to be cocaine. Officers were able to apprehend Johnson a few miles away and discovered a 4-year-old child in his car.

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Both men are currently in federal custody, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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