Tharon Johnson, 39, (Thorson El on social media) was arrested on Friday afternoon after authorities found a total of 28 pounds of marijuana in his hope, 15 pounds of which he had just received via the mail.
MNPD’s Major Crime Task Force & Narcotics Unit were assisting the United Stated Postal Service Inspector on a suspicious parcel being delivered to 657 Mercer Drive in Hermitage. Detectives observed the suspicious parcel being delivered by the USPS mail carrier and dropped on the porch of 657 Mercer Drive. After approximately 1 hour, Tharon Johnson was seen exiting the house and placing the parcel in his vehicle momentarily, then taking it out of the vehicle and driving off from his residence.
An Interdiction Officer observed Johnson pull to the side of the road and activate his hazards, and then observed another a vehicle pull up behind Johnson’s parked car on the side of the road. The officer describes what he considered to be a possible drug transaction, and once the unknown vehicle pulled away, Officer Taylor made contact with Johnson, and used K-9 Stryker to conduct a free air sniff of the vehicle.
Stryker alerted on the vehicle, and a search was conducted, resulting in 10 small bags, each containing approximately 3 grams of marijuana. Under Miranda, Johnson admitted to having “pounds of marijuana” at his home, and gave written consent to search the premises.
In the search of Johnson‘s home, detectives located a total of 28 pounds of marijuana (15 from the postal shipment, and an additional 13 pounds already there). Also recovered were 44 THC vapes.
Tharon Johnson is charged with felony possession w/intent, and was released on the pre-trial-release program. He will appear in court on 08/17.
