By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Gainesville man accused of replacing sons Adderall with sugar
Attorney claims allegations are false
0402DENNIS-JOHNSON-MUG
Dennis Johnson

A Gainesville man is accused of switching his son’s drug Adderall, used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, with a substance “believed to be sugar,” according to authorities.

Dennis Lane Johnson, 46, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of second-degree child cruelty by the Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. He was later released from the Hall County Jail.

Johnson’s attorney, Graham McKinnon, said his client has spent a life in law enforcement and has worked for 25 years at Phillips State Prison in Buford.

“These allegations are false and are brought by a vindictive ex-wife,” McKinnon said.

Authorities said they believe Johnson allegedly replaced his son’s Adderall “in the capsules with another substance, believed to be sugar” between December 2014 and September 2015.

“As a result of not taking his needed medicine, the child had behavioral and emotional problems in school,” MANS Lt. Scott Ware wrote in a news release. “Once this was discovered and the child began taking his prescribed medicine again, the behavioral/emotional problems ceased and he functioned appropriately in school.’