Man Accused Of Killing Police Officer Sentenced On Gun Charges

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A man accused of killing a Kimberly police officer in February of 2020 has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison for unrelated gun charges. Preston Chyenne Johnson pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Johnson, who still faces charges in state court for the slaying of Kimberly police officer Nick O'Rear, is prohibited from having a firearm because of prior felony convictions.

Court records show Johnson unlawfully possessed an Anderson AM-15 5.56 mm rifle on October 31, 2019. Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge in January.

ATF investigated the case along with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and several other local law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Becher, Sr. prosecuted the case.

Johnson is charged in state court with three counts of capital murder, attempted murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle in the death of O’Rear and the attempted murder of Warrior police officer Lee Glenn.

A court date has not been set for Johnson's state charges.