A federal criminal complaint accuses Christopher Barret Johnson, 42, of possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute after police found meth, fentanyl, cash, and a digital scale inside a BMW near MacArthur Park on May 5. Johnson’s former affiliation with Peop
Christopher Barret Johnson’s BMW was stopped near MacArthur Park after Los Angeles police saw him make an abrupt U-turn in front of officers at about 10:20 p.m. on May 5, according to an affidavit filed with a federal complaint.
Johnson. 42. a Culver City resident. was described as the sole occupant and “appeared very nervous.” Officers said the car lacked a front license plate and that a plastic baggie containing methamphetamine was visible on the BMW’s central console. Authorities also said Johnson had two knives in his waistband.
After officers ordered him out of the vehicle. they conducted a pat-down search and found a plastic baggie of meth in Johnson’s left front pocket. A search of the BMW then turned up a backpack with additional baggies of meth and fentanyl. along with cash and a digital scale with fentanyl residue on it. the court records show. Officers also found a dish soap container holding more baggies of fentanyl. The affidavit states the BMW’s center console contained cash and a large amount of baggies.
A lab analysis confirmed the drugs included at least 142 grams of a substance that contained fentanyl and nearly 46 grams of meth. When questioned. Johnson acknowledged there were drugs inside his car but said they belonged to a woman who used the moniker of “Red. ” adding he was only holding onto them for safekeeping.
Federal authorities charged Johnson with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The criminal complaint lists him as a defendant in the case brought by the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles. Court records did not list a lawyer for Johnson.
The nonprofit he once worked for says his connection is over
The case has drawn attention because federal authorities said Johnson was affiliated with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH). a nationwide nonprofit group that conducts street outreach and provides interim and permanent housing. Tyler Renner. PATH’s media director. said in a statement that Johnson’s employment with PATH ended last year on September 16.
“PATH is outraged and deeply disturbed that an individual would falsely represent themselves as a current employee,” Renner said. Renner added that “any employee who does not abide by our code of conduct. or who is found to be participating in unethical or illegal activity. can no longer be employed by our statewide organization.”.
Renner said PATH does not have current contracts or services covering the MacArthur Park area, and that the last services the organization provided there were outreach services that ended in June 2024.
The nonprofit also rejected an allegation tied to PATH’s role in the area. Renner disputed the U.S. attorney’s office’s claim that PATH serves as a vendor distributing syringes, including in MacArthur Park, saying that claim is false.
PATH’s statement describes its work as “trauma-informed,” with teams aimed at connecting people to substance use treatment, mental health care, and physical health services intended to support “long-term stability and self-sufficiency.”
What’s at stake for Johnson
If convicted, Johnson would face a minimum of five years in prison and up to 40 years.
MacArthur Park has been a focus of enforcement actions in recent months. and the case sits inside a broader fight over how authorities approach drug use and homelessness in the area. Earlier this month, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli posted a picture of Johnson’s business card on X. identifying him as a substance use disorder specialist.
Essayli wrote that “Residents and businesses in MacArthur Park and elsewhere have long complained about the wisdom of distributing syringes to homeless drug addicts where law-abiding citizens live and work. ” adding. “They call these policies ‘harm reduction.’ I consider them ‘harm enabling.’ Giving drug-addicted users needles to shoot up meth and fentanyl is never a good idea.”.
Harm reduction supporters say offering clean needles and other supplies can reduce the spread of diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis.
Federal sweep targeting an “open-air drug market,” and gang charges
The drug case also follows earlier federal operations. Earlier this month. federal authorities arrested more than a dozen people in a sweep targeting what they described as an “open-air drug market.” In March. federal authorities arrested a dozen members and associates of the 18th Street gang on indictments alleging murder. extortion. and drug trafficking.
In the months since those operations began, MacArthur Park has remained at the center of a debate with no clear resolution: how to confront drug markets and keep communities safe, while managing the human realities of addiction and homelessness.
Christopher Barret Johnson PATH People Assisting the Homeless MacArthur Park fentanyl methamphetamine federal complaint harm reduction Bill Essayli syringe distribution open-air drug market 18th Street gang
So they just found it in his car?? wild.
MacArthur Park again?? seems like that area is cursed. Also he was “only holding on for safekeeping” which sounds like something people say right before they get smoked in court.
Wait I thought PATH workers were like social workers or whatever, not out there with knives and fentanyl. Unless PATH is something else? And the U-turn thing like… that’s not even a crime on its own.
The part about dish soap container for fentanyl baggies is the most LA thing ever. Also 142 grams fentanyl residue on a scale… that’s like instantly like why even mess with a scale if you already have baggies? I don’t know, feels like they wanted a bigger story than just a stop.