LEONARDTOWN, Md. – A lengthy investigation by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the indictment of two individuals on extensive drug trafficking and firearms-related charges. Shannon Marie Johnson, 37, of Great Mills, and Antwian Marquis Johnson, 38, of Prince Frederick, face a combined 18 charges following a Grand Jury hearing on December 16, 2024.
The investigation began after law enforcement received reports of narcotics activity at separate properties associated with both defendants. Evidence gathered over months culminated in the December indictments. Both defendants are now accused of orchestrating operations involving fentanyl, cocaine, firearms, and drug manufacturing equipment.
According to court records, Shannon Marie Johnson is charged with conspiring to distribute controlled dangerous substances and maintaining a common nuisance, specifically using her vehicle to facilitate drug transactions. Investigators allege that her Toyota Camry was central to her role in the operation. She also faces charges related to proceeds derived from narcotics sales, a felony under Maryland law.
Antwian Marquis Johnson, whose charges span 14 counts, faces allegations of operating a drug manufacturing site in Hollywood, Maryland. Court documents detail his alleged possession of over 448 grams of cocaine and more than 28 grams of fentanyl, quantities that meet the threshold for mandatory minimum sentences. The indictment also accuses him of firearm-related offenses, with evidence linking a Hi-Point 9mm rifle and an AR-15 to his alleged trafficking operation. Additional charges include the possession of equipment used in narcotics production.
Both defendants were assigned defense attorneys following their initial court appearances on December 18, 2024. Attorneys for the defense have filed motions for exculpatory evidence, discovery, and the presence of chemists and analysts at trial. Prosecutors for St. Mary’s County, led by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Lisa Mills Ridge, have requested that the court uphold the arrest warrants and proceed to trial.
The Sheriff’s Office stated that this case underscores their commitment to addressing the opioid crisis and associated trafficking operations in Southern Maryland. Fentanyl continues to be a leading cause of overdose deaths in the state, and law enforcement emphasized the role of collaborative investigations in curbing the spread of this deadly substance.
Both defendants are scheduled for pretrial hearings in the coming weeks. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement as efforts to combat drug trafficking remain a priority.
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