A man hired to help the homeless was caught with a stash of fentanyl and meth.
Federal agents arrested a former nonprofit worker after police found 142 grams of fentanyl and 45.97 grams of meth in his car.
It is hard to trust the system when the people paid to fix a problem are accused of fueling it. This case raises tough questions about who we hire to help our most vulnerable neighbors.
What Happened
Christopher Johnson was pulled over by LAPD on May 5 for a missing license plate. Officers noticed a white baggy in his car and two knives in his waistband. He admitted to having drugs during the stop.
Police searched the car and found 142 grams of fentanyl and 45.97 grams of meth. Johnson was arrested again by federal agents on Thursday. He was carrying a bag and business cards from the nonprofit PATH, where he once worked as a substance abuse specialist.
What the money/evidence shows
- 142 grams of a substance containing fentanyl.
- 45.97 grams of methamphetamine.
- Two knives found in the suspect's waistband.
- PATH business cards and a work bag found in the vehicle.
- A potential minimum of five years in federal prison.
The Bigger Question
Why was a man with a history of gun and drug charges hired to work with people struggling with addiction? We have to ask if the city is doing enough to check the backgrounds of those working for nonprofits that get millions in tax dollars.
If these groups are paid to solve the drug crisis, do they have a financial reason to keep the problem going? This is a question taxpayers deserve to have answered.
The Other Side
PATH says they are outraged and that Johnson has not worked for them since September 2025. They also claim they do not provide syringe exchange services. This defense hinges on whether they truly vetted him before his initial hiring.
What Happens Now
Law enforcement plans to keep a heavy presence in MacArthur Park to stop drugs from returning to the area. This could lead to more frequent sweeps of the park and surrounding streets.
What We Still Don't Know
- How did Johnson obtain the large amount of drugs found in his car?
- Did the nonprofit know about his past criminal record when they hired him?
- Will the city change how it vets employees at nonprofits that receive public contracts?
Transparency notes
Published: May 22, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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Sources
External source links were not provided in this article body. Our editors reference publicly available materials and update stories as new verified information arrives.