Justin Johnson, the suspect in Young Dolph’s murder case, has been sentenced to prison and is going to jail for two years. Turns out that he had violated his supervised release.
The supervised release was due to a previous weapons charge. It is not believed to be related to Young Dolph’s murder.
A week ago, Judge Mark Norris told Johnson how “bitterly disappointed” he is in him. Johnson wasted the multiple opportunities that the court had provided him. Johnson pleaded guilty to the violations of missing mandatory drug screenings and therapy, not being regularly employed, failing to seek permission before leaving the jurisdiction, and being arrested.
The last two are from January, when he was arrested for being suspected of Young Dolph’s murder. He was arrested by U.S marshals in Indiana.
The 23-year-old was just ready to put the case behind him. He was more concerned with the other cases. He accepted the two year jail time without complaint.
Johnson’s other cases
In November 2021, Young Dolph was buying cookies for his mother when someone shot him 22 times and drove off. Dolph’s brother was with him at the time of the incident. The murderer stole the getaway vehicle a week prior to the rapper’s untimely death. Police found the getaway car where Johnson had shot a music video once, as he is one of the suspects in the Memphis musician’s case. The other suspect is Cornelius Smith.
On top of the Young Dolph case, Johnson also has to deal with a sex offender registry case. The specifics of this case are not known, however.
On Mar. 18, Johnson was attacked in prison. He was making a phone call to his lawyer, Juni Ganguli, in the prison’s visitation area. A fellow inmate punched Johnson, but he was not seriously injured. It is not known who attacked him or their motives for it.
Dolph's Murder Suspect Allegedly Attacked In Jail. Image Source: Prince Williams/WireImage/ U.S. Marshals Service via AP.
TMZ reports another inmate punched Young Dolph’s murder suspect, Justin Johnson, while making a phone call last Friday (Mar 18). Likewise, Juni Ganguli, Johnson’s lawyer, says he was in the visitation area of the facility when someone struck him.
Furthermore, the exact location of Johnson’s hit is unclear. Still, TMZ claims the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said there are no injuries.
Young Dolph was shot and killed inside of Makeda’s Butter Cookies in Memphis on Nov 17, 2021. He was 36 years old. This case has continued to develop after his passing. Memphis police were searching for two suspects in connection with the murder the day after Dolph’s death.
Images that appear to be from surveillance videos show two men standing outside Makeda’s Butter Cookies near Dolph’s vehicle. Police posted a wanted fugitive alert for Justin Johnson, 23, on Jan 5.
The arrest of Johnson took place on Jan 15 after spending a short period on the run and dropping music. The police have also arrested Cornelius Smith, another alleged gunman.
Straight Drop, Justin Johnson’s stage name, appears to have filmed a music video at the same Tennessee home in the past where police found the getaway vehicle used in Dolph’s murder. However, the car was found Saturday in the Orange Mound neighborhood of South Memphis on 1100 block of Bradley Street. After talking to law enforcement, a FOX13 reporter confirmed the news, who believes they might have it.
Young Dolph’s Autopsy Report Released
Additionally, Dolph’s autopsy report came out last week. He is a victim of 22 shots. Nevertheless, it appears homicide is the cause of his death.
Following Dolph’s death, his family released a statement: “There are no words that exist, that sufficiently express the pain we are feeling as a family. Losing Adolph, Dolph, Man-Man, changes our lives forever.
And while we will take each day as it comes, we also know that he leaves a legacy that reflects his heart. A heart that was for his family. A heart that was for the people.”
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 11: Young Dolph tribute during Rolling Loud at NOS Events Center on December 11, 2021 in San Bernardino, California. (Photo by Timothy Norris/WireImage)
Shundale Barnett, one of the suspects linked to the murder of rapper Young Dolph mistakenly released from jail.
Recently, a report published by Memphis’ News Channel 3, his current whereabouts are still unknown.
According to Indiana authorities, Shelby County authorities instructed to release Barnett so and extracted to Memphis by the U.S. Marshals Service. On January 21th, Barnett accidentally released and sought by local law enforcement.
The Death of Young Dolph
Adolph Robert Thornton Jr, or Young Dolph, shot and killed on Wednesday, Nov.17 while visiting a cookie shop in South Memphis.
According to the testimony of Maurice Hill, the owner of the cookie shop, the rapper had gone to the store, Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, to buy some baked goods.
As Young was still inside the store, a stolen Mercedes-Benz pulled up outside the store and a person opened fire inside the store, shooting and killing the rapper. Dolph was 36 years old.
“The preliminary information indicates that the victim is Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. However, this information will be confirmed once the identification process has been completed.”
Indeed, the man who had died was Young Dolph.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland mourned the rapper’s death during a press conference. Strickland also used this time to calling attention to the consequences of crime and violence.
“The tragic shooting death of rap artist Young Dolph serves as another reminder of the pain that violent crime brings with it.”
The Culprits
On January 19, authorities released an official indictment against two men charged with Young Dolph’s murder. Justin Johnson, 23, and 32-year-old Cornelius Smith.
According to the users, both Smith and Johnson were members of Yo Gotti’s gang. This case handled by the Crime Strategies and Narcotics Prosecution Unit (CSNPU).
Johnson and Smith indicted on first-degree premeditates murder, attempted first-degree murder, employment of firearms, and theft of a property over $10,000.
Two days later, a third suspect arrested. Shundale Barnett, 27, was arrested in Indiana and changed as an after-the-fact accessory to Dolph’s murder, criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder and theft of property, according to Fox 13 Memphis.
Justin Johnson had a criminal background since he was a minor. At age 17, accused of raping a woman at a hotel. At the age of 19, charged with felony placed on a violent juvenile sex offender registry. In January 2017, Johnson is sentenced 5 years for charges in triple shooting.
Cornelius Smith was arrested after being accused on an auto-theft warrant. According to Weirich’s office, the Mercedes the
(Left to right) Cornelius Smith, Shundale Barnett, and Justin Johnson. Courtesy of FOX 13 News.
culprits used was stoles in a carjacking on November 10 at a gas station. Smith transferred from DeSoto County Jail to Shelby County Jail on January 11.
Johnson and Smith pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder as well as other felony charges. Both remain in prison.
Fan Love is Forever
Young Dolph’s death was devastating to all of his fans and even other stars in the Hip Hop community. Young Dolph admired for his good music and talent. He also liked helping people thought charitable works.
In Action News 5, Maurice and Pamela Hill broke the silence in an interview where they expressed their pain.
“We would like to send our condolences and our deepest sympathy to the Thornton family, Young Dolph’s beautiful wife, and his two beautiful children,” Maurice Hill said.
Pamela Hill, Makeda’s Cookies family member interviewed with ABC News and talked about Dolph and his great love for their cookies.
(Left)Pamela and Maurice Hill are the owners of Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies. Courtesy of Action News 5.
“He loved chocolate chip cookies and ice cream was his favorite thing that he got every time.”
Other celebrities like Gucci Mane, Key Glock, Megan Thee Stallion, and many others also honored the rapper’s memory.
While Young Dolph murder suspect Justin Johnson (23), turned himself in, expecting a quick release, it seems this is not the case.
Just last week, Justin aka, Straight Droppp, announced his intent to turn himself in an Instagram post. He claimed, “I’ll Be Back Sooner Than You Can Blink”.
On Jan. 13, Local Memphis ABC 24, shared that 23 year-old Droppp was booked in the Shelby County Jail and facing several charges:
first-degree murder-2 counts
criminal attempted first-degree murder-2 counts
Unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon
Employing a firearm with intent to commit a felony
Theft of property between $10,000-60,000
Violation of the Sex Offender Registry Act
Johnson has a troubling past. The Source reported that at the age of 17, he was convicted of aggravated rape and robbery. This led to his registry as a violent juvenile sex offender.
His claims to innocence ring hollow with these new charges brought against him. With evidence connecting him to Dolph’s murder mounting, his innocence remains in question as the investigation ensues.
Justin Johnson’s last-minute endeavors
One might that think being named a prime suspect in Dolph’s murder and with the US Marshalls on the hunt for you would make a person lay low. Not so for Johnson. He shockingly found time to film a video for his song “Track Hawk.” With a $15,000 award for any information on him, the fugitive figured it was the best time to drop a video. What’s more, he allegedly filmed the video in front of the house the getaway car was found.
WREG News 3 reported the rescheduled indictment of the suspects. While the world patiently awaits the fate of suspects in custody, one thing rings true. Above all, justice at play while Johnson behind bars.
The two alleged gunmen wanted for the murder of Young Dolph are now in police custody.
The Harrowing Young Dolph’s Gunmen Arrest
The suspected gunman of Young Dolph, Justin Johnson, reportedly was arrested in Indiana yesterday afternoon (Jan.11). The second alleged Young Dolph’s gunman, Cornelius Smith, had already been in the Mississippi law enforcement custody since Dec.9.
The law enforcement arrested the first alleged Young Dolph’s 32-year-old gunman, Cornelius Smith, last month for auto theft. The vehicle in question was the Mercedes’ Benz. It’s also the getaway car in Dolph’s murder.
The Mercedes’ was first stolen from a gas stationon Nov. 10. This was only a week before the murder of Young Dolph. Police found the car and towed it 10 days after the theft, on Nov. 20. Police found the Mercedes in Memphis.
The second alleged Young Dolph’s gunman, Smith, was indicted earlier this week (Jan.10). He already traveled from Desoto County jail to Shelby County jail in Memphis. Memphis Fox 13 has reported Both Smith and Johnson have been charged with first-degree murder.
Undoubtedly, both Young Dolph’s gunmen have a challenging trial ahead of them with a combined six additional charges. Johnson has property theft charges between $10,000 and $60,000 and also an outstanding warrant for a violation of federal release. Meanwhile, Smith has additional charges of attempted first-degree murder, unlawfully carrying or possessing a weapon, employment of a firearm with intent to commit a felony, and theft of property between $10,000 and $60,000.
Getting Justice For Dolph
Johnson’s arrest comes a week after Memphis police put out a fugitive alert and a $15,000 reward for anyone willing to provide information on Young Dolph’s gunmen. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals, the Memphis Police Department, and Crime Stoppers contributed to the $15,000 reward.
On Saturday (Jan. 8), Johnson took to his Instagram story to announce his culpability and intent to turn himself in. However, he seemingly used the attention solely for his new rap single ‘Track Hawk,’ as he remained on the run.
Nonetheless, Memphis police are one step closer to bringing justice to Young Dolph, his family, and the community.
Twenty-three year old Justin Johnson is the primary suspect in the shooting of rapper Young Dolph. Johnson, aka “Straightdroppp” is something of an amateur rapper himself. Johnson has been avoiding the public eye since the murder on November 17th. But a silly little thing like an armed manhunt isn’t going to stop the grind. Rather than turn himself in (as he promised he would) Straightdroppp took this opportunity to instead release a new music video.
What happened?
In the off chance you haven’t been following this case, don’t worry. We’ll bring you up to speed.
On November 17, rapper Young Dolph was shot and killed in Memphis. As it turns out, Dolph had been supporting the GoFundMe of a local bakery and buying cookies for his mother. The attack was a hit-and-run. The murderers drove up, hopped out, and killed Dolph in broad daylight. Police released surveillance footage of the perpetrators, in an attempt to track them down.
The brazen way the killing was performed, combined with Young Dolph’s general positivity, led some to wonder if it had been a deliberate hit. Eventually, the police came forward and identified Justin Johnson as their primary suspect. They considered him armed and dangerous and offered a $15,000 reward for information on his whereabouts. In due time, the internet did its digging and discovered a connection between Johnson and Dolph.
What’s more, it turns out the two may have known each other. At this point, Johnson went public. He swore he was innocent and promised to turn himself in first thing Monday morning to prove it.
If that was the end of the story, we wouldn’t be here. Johnson never arrived at the police station. He remains on the run. Instead of “proving his innocence,” Straightdroppp decided to use this opportunity to release a new music video:
Evidently, he decided to capitalize on his “publicity.” While certainly “bold,” it goes without saying that exploiting the death of a beloved figure like Young Dolph, especially when you are the primary suspect, is distasteful. At the time of writing, Justin Johnson is still at large and on the run, and his Instagram (@Straightdroppp) is unavailable.
🚨#TNMostWanted: We need your help to find Justin Johnson, wanted by @MEM_PoliceDept and TBI for 1st Degree Murder, Criminal Attempt-1st Degree Murder, & Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000.
Beloved Memphis rapper Young Dolph, aka Paper Route Frank, was murdered in November of 2021. Dolph was by all accounts a wonderful human being. He was generous, thoughtful, as well as, loved by his neighbors. A man, believed to be Justin Johnson, shot him to death while Dolph was buying cookies for his mother. Now, new evidence provided by police suggests that his killer may actually have been someone that he knew.
What we Knew about the Murder of Young Dolph
FMHipHop has been following this story since the tragic events first occurred. Originally, we, as well as many other news sites, reported that it was a random killing. Young Dolph had a reputation for being a wonderful person; what motive could there be? Furthermore, the gunman shot upwards of 50 bullets in broad daylight.
Please see the attached photos of the suspects and suspect vehicle from the 2370 Airways Boulevard murder.
However, once information from investigators began to trickle in, the senseless killing started to seem more like a hit.
“One could only assume that this was a hit. The gunmen didn’t take his car, jewelry, money, they took his life. Someone wanted Young Dolph dead. An anonymous witness claimed that he heard about 50 gunshots rang out. 50 gunshots for one man.” (Samantha Hillard)
Just yesterday, however, police revealed the name of their primary suspect. Naturally, we covered it. Police warn that one Justin Johnson is on the run, likely armed and dangerous.
New Information
Upon learning Johnson’s name, the internet did what the internet does best. It scoured itself for any trace of the individual and reportedly found something.
Apparently, the internet found Justin Johnson in the background of several photos with Young Dolph. These, along with images taken from Johnson’s Instagram, seem to suggest that the two also were connected in some way. Supposedly, Johnson can also be seen wearing a PRE (Paper Route Empire) chain.
Was Johnson a friend, an enemy, or maybe even a stalker? Until police apprehend him, we can only speculate.
The U.S. Marshals, Memphis Police Department, Crime Stoppers, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) have identified 23-year-old Justin Johnson as Young Dolph’s murder suspect.
Young Dolph’s Murder Suspect finally revealed
According to a press release by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Johnson is the suspect for the murder of Memphis icon and rapper Young Dolph. Dolph died in his hometown of Memphis back in November. Just days after the shooting, surveillance footage showed of two suspects fleeing Makeda’s Butter Cookies, where the scene took place. Now, a name and face have finally been put to the video evidence.
🚨#TNMostWanted: We need your help to find Justin Johnson, wanted by @MEM_PoliceDept and TBI for 1st Degree Murder, Criminal Attempt-1st Degree Murder, & Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000.
— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) January 5, 2022
In addition to the arrest warrant for being the Young Dolph’s murder suspect, Johnson also has another warrant for violating his supervised release.
Subsequently, Justin Johnson is now on the run for First-Degree murder. Additionally, the court wants Young Dolph murder suspect for Attempted-First Degree Murder and Theft of Property valued between $10,000-$60,000. A combined $15,000 is the reward by The U.S. Marshals, Memphis Police Department, Crime Stoppers, and the TBI to anyone with information on Johnson.
According to the report released, Johnson is dangerous and has armory on him. Moreover, He is 5 foot 8 and approximately 190 pounds.
Remembering Young Dolph
This recent advancement with suspects in the Young Dolph murder case is a relief to mourning fans, friends, and family who demanded justice for the fallen rapper.
Undoubtedly Dolph was known in his city primarily for being extremely family-oriented and always giving back. Particularly, Dolph’s annual Thanksgiving turkey drive always drew praise from the south Memphis area and was continued even after his tragic passing. His Aunt Trice previously spoke on Dolph’s influence on the community and passion for the youth, “He meant the world to me,” Trice said.
#YoungDolph’s annual #Thanksgiving turkey giveaway is giving people hope and strength following his death.
Community members tell me Young Dolph was always generous to his Castalia Heights neighbors and would often give back to those in need. @ABC24Memphispic.twitter.com/e5bSXuO09P
“To be out there to help the kids, help the needy, buy kids clothes for Christmas, in the summertime, it didn’t matter. Block parties, it’s all about the children in the community with him.”
In any event, Dolph’s legacy lives on with his two children, Tre Tre and Aria Thornton.
