johnson was born in brooklyn, new york. he received a bachelor of arts degree from brooklyn college in 1963. he received a bachelor of laws from brooklyn law school in 1966. he was in the united states marine corps from 1952 to 1955. he was a police officer of the new york city police department from 1956 to 1967. he was an assistant united states attorney of the southern district of new york from 1967 to 1970. he was the executive director of the civilian complaint review board of the new york city police department from 1970 to 1974. he was an executive liaison officer of the united states drug enforcement administration from 1974 to 1975. he was a special narcotics prosecutor for new york city from 1975 to 1991. he was a commissioner of the united states sentencing commission from 1999 to 2003.