“Gang Member Sentenced to 150 Months for Firearms and Witness Tampering Charges”

Johnny Dolph, a member of the Irish Mob Gang, has been sentenced to 150 months in prison for various charges, including felon in possession of a firearm and tampering with documents. Dolph had been involved in a forgery operation and attempted to prevent a witness from cooperating with law enforcement. He also illegally purchased a firearm and threatened individuals. Dolph’s actions were discovered through a joint investigation by the FBI, Secret Service, Omaha Police Department, and other agencies. justice.gov reported

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr made an announcement regarding the sentencing of Johnny Dolph, a 50-year-old man originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Dolph in Omaha, Nebraska to a cumulative sentence of 150 months’ imprisonment for multiple counts, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm following a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, false statements during the purchase of a firearm, conspiracy to tamper with documents or proceedings, tampering with documents or proceedings, conspiracy to assault a witness, and attempted assault of a witness. Dolph will also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after his prison sentence, as parole is not applicable in the federal system.

Dolph is affiliated with the Irish Mob Gang, a gang that originated in the Oklahoma state prison system. He arrived in Omaha early in 2021 after being transferred through an interstate parole agreement following a prison sentence in Kansas. Dolph deceived the parole offices in both Kansas and Nebraska by claiming he would be residing with a man who he falsely claimed was his brother. However, this man was actually an associate of the Irish Mob Gang. In the summer of 2021, Dolph brought an individual from Kansas to Omaha to establish a forgery operation. This individual was later apprehended by the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office in possession of various forgery-related items, including counterfeit currency and forged Treasury checks.

Soon after the arrest of the individual from Kansas, Dolph and his co-defendant, Norwood, began contacting the individual’s wife, referred to as Victim 1, in an effort to dissuade her from cooperating with law enforcement. Victim 1 reported receiving threatening messages from Dolph and Norwood. The defendants conducted research and attempts to locate Victim 1’s whereabouts. In the fall of 2021, Norwood conducted a straw purchase of a firearm for Dolph, acquiring a Hi-Point C9 9mm handgun. Straw purchasing involves an individual purchasing a firearm on behalf of another person, which is illegal. Dolph, who had previous felony convictions in Oklahoma and Kansas, as well as misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in Kansas, was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

In October 2021, Dolph’s Omaha apartment was subjected to a federal search warrant executed by a federal agent from the Omaha Metro Financial Crimes Task Force, referred to as Victim 2. Subsequently, Dolph began researching Victim 2 and believed he had discovered the agent’s home address. However, Dolph was mistaken and filmed the wrong residence, sharing the video and address with others while expressing a desire to obtain a disposable firearm. In November 2021, Dolph enlisted the help of Kate Ruth, who traveled from Kansas to Omaha at his request. Ruth was accompanied by Juanita Gibson. Dolph financed their trip and provided directions once they arrived in Omaha. Gibson and Ruth stayed with Dolph and Norwood in their apartment. During their time in Omaha, the group attempted to locate Victim 1 under Dolph’s instruction. On March 1, 2022, law enforcement attempted to arrest Dolph based on a state warrant. He was apprehended, and the Hi-Point C9 9mm handgun, purchased illegally by Norwood for Dolph, was seized. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) determined that the handgun had been transported across state lines and reached Nebraska on March 1, 2021.

During his interview with law enforcement, Dolph confessed to being a “shot caller” for the Irish Mob Gang and admitted to researching and threatening Victim 1 in order to hinder her cooperation with authorities. He described a “green light” as an assault and acknowledged bringing female members of the Irish Mob Gang, referred to as “clovers,” from Kansas to Omaha to carry out the assault on Victim 1. Dolph also admitted that Norwood had purchased the Hi-Point C9 pistol for him. He confessed to possessing the firearm and creating a fake handgun purchase permit to make it appear as if he had legally obtained the weapon in case he encountered law enforcement. Dolph acknowledged his awareness of being a felon. Furthermore, Dolph’s social media posts included a photograph of him holding the firearm, accompanied by a statement revealing that Norwood had purchased it on his behalf.

Following his arrest on the state warrant, Dolph was federally indicted for the firearms charges and incarcerated at the Douglas County Correctional Center. On March 30, 2022, Dolph made phone calls to Norwood from prison, during which he instructed her to retrieve and destroy an item hidden in an air compressor in their trailer. Dolph was highly agitated during the calls, emphasizing the importance of destroying the item to avoid imprisonment. He also expressed concern that Norwood might not destroy it and instead turn it over to law enforcement. Dolph requested that Norwood take a picture of the item burning to prove its destruction, and such an image was discovered on Norwood’s phone.

The individual from Kansas mentioned earlier was sentenced on May 23, 2022, for possession of counterfeit currency and possession of a document making implement or authentication feature. The individual served a nine-month sentence and is currently undergoing a five-year term of supervised release. On July 18, 2023, Gibson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assault a witness and attempted assault of a witness. Her sentencing is scheduled for October 13, 2023. Norwood and Ruth are currently awaiting trial and are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Following Dolph’s sentencing, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel emphasized the message sent to criminals who believe that threatening witnesses and destroying evidence will keep them out of prison. He assured the public that the FBI will locate such individuals, stating that intimidation and violence will never be tolerated. Kansas City Field Office Special Agent in Charge Brandon Bridgeforth of the United States Secret Service expressed pride in the effective partnerships maintained with the Omaha Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the United States Attorney’s Office. He stated that protecting citizens and witnesses from violent criminals like Dolph is of utmost importance.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr emphasized the authority held by her office in prosecuting all offenses against the United States. She warned against unlawful attempts to undermine the pursuit of justice, asserting that such actions would be met with aggressive prosecution. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the Omaha Police Department, and the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives..