Instagram Account Lands User With 142 Felony Charges

Maybe he's the one who needs a filter?

  • Share
  • Read Later
AFP / Getty Images

Some ill-conceived Instagram photos resulted in Johnson being charged with 142 counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammo.

Note to criminals: If you’re going to take a selfie, maybe keep the guns, drugs, and loot out of the frame?

According to the Miami New Times, such common sense was apparently lost on Depree Johnson — a 19-year-old Florida native with a passion for both Instagram and burglary. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office months-long investigation into a series of jewel thefts in local senior communities culminated in the discovery of  Johnson’s unbelievably incriminating Instagram feed.

When a Palm Beach Sheriff’s deputy came upon the account  — duce22ceritfied, which has now been shut down — they found photos of the social media maven posing with guns, money and what appears to be drugs. The deputy also noted that Johnson had prior convictions for grand theft, burglary, and felony possession of a firearm, and determined that this just maybe might be their guy. One search warrant later, police said they found themselves in Johnson’s Lake Worth home staring at $250,000 in jewelry, electronics and firearms, as well as a Glock hidden under his bed, a stolen Tec-9 9mm pistol, and a shoebox filled with ammunition.

The haul has landed Johnson with 142 counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammo. Johnson is also suspected of leading a group of other men in the retirement home burglaries.

There was a small upside for the aspiring photographer: some of his photos garnered as many as 13 likes before the account was closed. Who said crime doesn’t pay?