Buxton man sentenced on forgery, drug charges

A Buxton, N.D. man will serve 36 months in prison for five felony convictions ranging from forgery to drug possession.

Lonnie Carlton Johnson, 50, was recently convicted in federal court on weapon possession charges and has been sentenced to 51 months in federal prison. Sentences handed down Wednesday in East Central District Court in Hillsboro will run concurrent to the federal sentences.

In a plea agreement, Johnson pled guilty to three counts of forgery, one count of drug possession and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He admitted forging a number of checks on his son’s checking account in late 2006, illegally obtaining more than $3,000 in the process. 

Johnson also pled guilty to possession of cocaine and straws to smoke the drug. The felony drug charges grew out of a probation search of Johnson’s home conducted January 31, 2007. The search also resulted in federal weapons charges. As a convicted felon, Johnson cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.

Johnson’s probation, stemming from a 2004 terrorizing conviction, was also revoked Wednesday and he was re-sentenced to 36 months in prison. His previous sentence was two years deferred.

Johnson also pled guilty Wednesday to a DUI charge, dating from December 2006. A marijuana possession charge stemming from the traffic stop was dismissed by states attorney Stuart Larson.

In total, Johnson’s fines and fees amounted to $1,050.

According to his public defender Steve Mottinger, Johnson is scheduled to report to federal authorities December 4 to begin his four-year sentence.