Columbia man sentenced to six years for drug possession

Columbia — A Columbia man was sentenced today to six years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of a controlled substance.

Creston J. Johnson, 22, was arrested on suspicion of distribution and manufacturing of a controlled substance in October 2006. The Boone County Sheriff’s Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit and the MUSTANG Drug Task Force served a search warrant on Johnson’s home in the 600 block of East Circle Drive after receiving citizen complaints and tips from neighbors, the Missourian reported in October 2006.

Officers seized crack cocaine, marijuana, packaging materials, a large sum of money and a loaded, semi-automatic handgun at his apartment near Prathersville, the Missourian reported.

Johnson faced up to seven years in prison in connection with the charge.

He is eligible to attend an Institutional Treatment Center, or ITC, if he surrenders himself to the Boone County Jail by Oct. 15, Presiding Judge Gene Hamilton said during the sentencing hearing this morning.

Brian Hauswirth, a spokesman for the Missouri Department of Corrections, said Johnson would be in a short-term ITC program in which an inmate serves 120 days of “shock incarceration,” and undergoes 84 days of substance abuse treatment during that time. Toward the end of the program, the Department of Corrections sends a report about the inmate’s progress to the court.

“If someone completes the program, the court has the power to release them on probation.” Hauswirth said. “The court makes the final decision.”

Hauswirth said that a long-term ITC program is six to 12 months.

Johnson has previously pleaded guilty to charges including misdemeanor marijuana possession, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license, resisting arrest, driving while intoxicated and third-degree assault , according to Missouri Case.net.