
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 23, 1990                   TAG: 9003231789
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                LENGTH: Short

`PEPSI BOYS' MEMBER GETS 403-YEAR SENTENCE

Joseph Johnson, the alleged leader of the Pepsi Boys gang, probably will spend the rest of his life in prison after receiving a 403-year sentence for the 1988 slayings of a man and his wife and for dozens of other felonies.

Johnson, 19, and other gang members attacked at least 17 people in November 1988.

Charles and Elizabeth Southerly, parents of a 26-year-old retarded daughter, were killed during a robbery attempt at their home. Southerly, 57, and his 54-year-old wife were shot in the head.

The Pepsi Boys, a loosely knit gang of six young adults and seven juveniles, are accused of 11 robberies in a three-week span in November 1988. Johnson's charges stem from all of the incidents.

Johnson is ineligible for parole. Under state law, a felon cannot be paroled if he has been convicted of three or more crimes related to armed robbery, rape or murder.

- Associated Press

by CNB