California Man Arrested in Johnstown for Brandishing Ghost Guns, Drug Possession
JOHNSTOWN, NY – New York State Police arrested a California man early Friday morning after he allegedly brandished firearms at victims in a Johnstown parking lot, leading to the discovery of illegal weapons and drug paraphernalia.
Gerald D. Johnson, 56, of Wildomar, California, was taken into custody on May 30, 2025, facing multiple felony charges including two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the second degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the third degree, Menacing in the second degree, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the seventh degree.
Incident Details
State Police Troopers responded to a call at approximately 1:33 a.m. regarding reports of a man brandishing a firearm in a parking lot on Fifth Avenue Extension in Johnstown. Upon arrival, officers spoke with victims who reported that Johnson had displayed and pointed a handgun at them.
During the subsequent investigation, Troopers discovered Johnson’s vehicle contained two illegally possessed loaded unserialized handguns, commonly known as “ghost guns,” along with an illegal high-capacity magazine. Officers also found multiple glass smoking devices containing controlled substance residue.
Processing and Detention
Following his arrest, Johnson was transported to State Police Mayfield for processing before being transferred to the Fulton County Correctional Facility, where he remains awaiting arraignment.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about ghost guns – untraceable firearms that lack serial numbers – and their presence in communities across New York State.
