Photo: Uzma Gamal ( talk ) 15:17, 27 March 2011 (UTC) · Public domain
Born in United States · Nationality American — Organised crime / illegal gambling / drug trafficking / Harlem
Documented profile covering 9 controversies, including “1965: Sit-in at police station to protest surveillance, charged then acquitted” and “1954–1963: Imprisonment at Alcatraz, inmate number 1117”.
Profile No. 2146 · Updated on 12 October 2026
§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology
1965-12
Johnson refused to leave a Harlem police station to protest what he regarded as constant police surveillance of black neighbourhoods. He was charged with refusing to leave the premises.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
Case · 3 documented stages
1954–1963
Following periods in other prisons, Johnson served most of his sentence at Alcatraz, where the National Archives identify him as inmate number 1117.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
années 1940–1952
Beyond illegal gambling, Johnson was associated with heroin distribution in Harlem, an activity that led to major federal proceedings in the early 1950s.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1952
Johnson was sentenced to fifteen years' imprisonment for a heroin-related narcotics conspiracy.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1962
A former inmate later claimed that Johnson had provided material assistance to the June 1962 escapees, notably a means of transport by sea.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1935–années 1940
After Schultz's death, Johnson reached arrangements with figures in the New York Mafia syndicate, allowing him to retain influence over Harlem rackets while sharing or surrendering part of the proceeds.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
années 1920–1932
Before becoming a figure in Harlem organised crime, Johnson accumulated offences, convictions and lengthy periods of imprisonment, notably for theft and other criminal activities.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1932–milieu des années 1930
After his release from prison, Johnson became an important lieutenant of Stephanie St. Clair, one of the leading operators of Harlem's illegal numbers lottery.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
années 1930
Johnson participated in the St. Clair group's armed resistance against Dutch Schultz for control of illegal gambling operations. The conflict caused dozens of deaths and involved kidnappings and reprisals.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
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