Suspect in Young Dolph's death found with drugs and phone in jail, sheriff's office says

Dima Amro
Memphis Commercial Appeal

One of the suspects in Memphis rapper Young Dolph's murder was caught with contraband inside the Shelby County Jail, 201 Poplar, according to authorities.

Justin Johnson, 25, who is one of four men arrested in connection to Dolph's murder in November 2021, was found with drugs and a phone inside his cell, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office confirmed to The Commercial Appeal.

"SCSO has an open investigation involving Justin Johnson," the sheriff's office said in an email to The Commercial Appeal, adding it would not comment with further details.

Johnson, who investigators believe was responsible for shooting Dolph, faces first-degree murder, criminal attempted first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, employing a firearm with intent to commit a felony, theft of property between $10,000 and $60,000 and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder charges.

About a year after Dolph's killing, Johnson released a rap song, "No Statements," recorded off the jail telephone, and it was posted to YouTube.

REMEMBERING YOUNG DOLPH:Dolphland pop-up museum a powerful exploration of Young Dolph's life and impact | Review

YOUNG DOLPH CASE:Where do the cases against the suspects in Young Dolph's killing stand a year and a half later?

On Nov. 17, 2021, Dolph, born Adolph Thornton Jr., was shot and killed inside Makeda's Homemade Butter Cookies, located off Airways Boulevard.

An autopsy report indicated Dolph, who was 36, was shot multiple times in his head, neck and torso.

Dima Amro covers the suburbs for The Commercial Appeal and can be reached at Dima.Amro@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @AmroDima.