Justin “Straight Drop” Johnson posted on social media that he was going to turn himself in But it never happened, instead he stayed on the run evading law enforcement even shooting music videos and promoting his budding rap career. While on the run he released his newest video for his song “Track Hawk” which premiered on January 10th 2022 and has amassed over half a million views on YouTube. Johnson had his first court appearance this past Tuesday, wanted for the deadly shooting of Memphis rapper Young Dolph he was apprehended in Indiana.
The U.S. Marshals Service said Johnson was arrested when a warrant was issued for him earlier this month. Johnson’s past criminal record was revealed and it seems Young Dolph’s murder was not his first run in with law enforcement. Johnson has a rap sheet that starts at age 17.
Back In 2015, Johnson was charged with Robbery and Aggravated Rape. According to sources his victim “was a woman at an Econo Lodge,” District Attorney Amy Weirich revealed during a joint press conference with U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller and Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis. After that Johnson was added to the registry of violent sex offenders due to his charge and He was then put into the Department of Children’s Services and remained there until age 19.
In 2017 Johnson found himself in trouble again being accused of shooting three people at Billy Hardwick’s All-Star Lanes. He pleaded guilty to that charge and was sentenced to five years in prison, but somehow only served 9 months.
Then in May of 2018 Johnson was arrested again, This time with a firearm and illegal drugs. But bonded out the next day. Johnson was later indicted by the federal government for illegal firearm charges. He went back to prison and was released just last May, only six months before the reported Young Dolph murder. Many asked why Johnson was out of jail just months into a five year sentence and
D.A. Amy Weirich said the answer is simple “Because of the laws of the state of Tennessee.” “He appeared to be a very impressive young man without a record, and he always admitted to everything he did,” said County Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft.
