MOUNT VERNON — The 51-year-old operator of a sober living facility in Mt. Vernon is facing multiple felony charges for alleged drug-related offenses.
According to Mt. Vernon Police Chief Trent Page, Dennis L. Johnston lives at the facility he operates in the 1900 block of Perkins in Mt. Vernon, where he also charges recovering addicts to live.
Detective Troy Hails was involved in the investigation that led to Johnston’s arrest earlier this month. According to Hails, they had been receiving tips informing them Johnston was selling drugs from his sober living facility, so an investigation was launched.
According to Hails, on two separate occasions, confidential sources purchased drugs from Johnston at his apartment on Perkins. On the first occasion, he says, pills that are Schedule II controlled substances were purchased and on the second occasion, the informant purchased methamphetamine.
With that information in hand, officers conducted a traffic stop on Johnston at 10th and Perkins and he was taken into custody on Class 2 felony charges of possession with the intent to distribute, as well as a new meth possession charge for a small amount of meth reportedly found in his possession. He was taken to the Jefferson County Jail with bond set at $40,000.
He’s next scheduled to appear in court on July 25 for a preliminary hearing and a first appearance with his court-appointed attorney.
Chief Page says tenants continue to live at the facility.
Detective Hails says Johnston could be facing additional charges for a third incident involving the alleged sale of drugs to a confidential source. Information on that reported incident has been forwarded to the Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution.