Florida Gators Cornerback Dijon Johnson Faces Felony Charges Following Tampa Arrest
Florida Gators cornerback Dijon Johnson was arrested over the weekend in Tampa, Florida, and now faces multiple charges, including two felonies related to firearm and drug possession.
According to the Tampa Police Department, Johnson was pulled over late Friday night, May 2, after allegedly running a stop signal in downtown Ybor City. Officers reported detecting a strong odor of burned marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Johnson, driving a gray Dodge Challenger, was described as argumentative and initially refused to exit the vehicle. Upon being removed and detained, a search of the car revealed a backpack containing marijuana, 8 grams of synthetic marijuana, and a loaded Glock 19 handgun with 17 rounds in the magazine.
Johnson, 21, has been charged with a second-degree felony for possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and a third-degree felony for possession of a controlled substance (synthetic marijuana). He also faces two misdemeanor charges: possession of cannabis (less than 20 grams) and resisting an officer without violence.
He was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail early Saturday morning and released the following evening after posting an $8,500 surety bond. Johnson has entered written pleas of not guilty to all charges.
Johnson’s attorney, Tim Taylor, stated, “At this time, no formal charges have been filed. Any potential charging decision will, of course, need to be consistent with Florida law. We are eager for all the pertinent facts to come … .”
The University of Florida’s head football coach, Billy Napier, acknowledged the situation, saying, “We will continue to gather facts, … .”
Johnson, a 6-foot-1, … appeared in all 13 games during the 2024 season, starting five. He recorded 27 tackles and two …
As the legal process unfolds, Johnson’s status with the Gators remains uncertain. The university has not announced any disciplinary actions at this time.