A Culver City man who works for a homeless-services nonprofit that distributes syringes in Los Angeles is facing a federal fentanyl charge after police allegedly found drugs, cash, baggies, and a scale inside his BMW near MacArthur Park.
Christopher Barret Johnson, 42, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Federal prosecutors say Johnson works for People Assisting the Homeless, better known as PATH. The nonprofit provides homeless outreach, housing services, and also serves as a vendor distributing syringes, including in MacArthur Park.
According to the complaint, Los Angeles police were patrolling the area late on May 5, 2026, when they spotted a white BMW without a front plate abruptly make a U-turn. Officers pulled the car over around 10:20 p.m.
Johnson was the only person in the vehicle and “appeared very nervous,” according to the affidavit. Police say they saw a plastic baggie containing methamphetamine in plain view on the center console. Officers also allegedly saw two knives in Johnson’s waistband.
After Johnson was ordered out of the car, officers say they found methamphetamine in his pocket. A search of the BMW allegedly turned up fentanyl, methamphetamine, a digital scale with fentanyl residue, empty baggies, and cash. Prosecutors say more fentanyl was hidden inside a dish soap container.
Christopher Barret Johnson, 42, of Culver City, who works at a nonprofit that distribute syringes to homeless drug users, is expected to make his initial appearance tomorrow afternoon. He was arrested today on a federal complaint charging him with possession with intent to… pic.twitter.com/7LPDyhbGIi
— US Attorney L.A. (@USAO_LosAngeles) May 21, 2026
Lab testing later confirmed at least 142 grams of a substance containing fentanyl and nearly 46 grams of methamphetamine, according to federal prosecutors.
Johnson is expected to make his first appearance in federal court at the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles.
The case quickly reignited criticism over so-called “harm reduction” policies in Los Angeles, particularly around MacArthur Park, where residents and business owners have long complained about open-air drug use and syringe distribution programs.
In a social media post announcing the arrest, United States Attorney Bill Essayli wrote: “Residents and businesses in MacArthur Park and elsewhere have long complained about the wisdom of distributing syringes to homeless drug addicts where law-abiding citizens live and work.”
MacArthur Park Update:
Christopher Barret Johnson, a 42-year-old Culver City resident who works for the nonprofit People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), which distributes syringes to drug users at L.A.’s MacArthur Park and elsewhere, was arrested today on a federal criminal… pic.twitter.com/wc2JjUuhWi
— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) May 21, 2026
“They call these policies ‘harm reduction.’ I consider them ‘harm enabling.’ Giving drug-addicted users needles to shoot up meth and fentanyl is never a good idea,” Essayli added.
A criminal complaint is only an allegation. Johnson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison and up to 40 years behind bars.
