Former Flemington councilman pleads guilty to dealing cocaine to undercover cop

A former Flemington councilman is facing jail time after pleading guilty to distributing cocaine.

Malik D. Johnston, also known as Pippin J. Folk, 48, pleaded guilty to the second-degree charge on Wednesday before Hunterdon County Superior Court Judge Christopher J. Garrenger.

Johnston faces five years in prison when he is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 30.

Johnston agreed to both forfeit a vehicle and cash that were seized in the narcotics investigation, and to pay restitution to the Flemington Democratic Club relating to a theft charge, which was dismissed.

Johnston, a Democrat who was serving his first term on the Flemington Borough Council, was arrested in February 2023, following a joint investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office’s Narcotics Task Force and the Flemington Borough Police Department.

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Authorities said that in January and February of last year in Raritan Township, Johnston sold a half-ounce or more of cocaine and a half-ounce or more of methamphetamine to an undercover police officer.

Further investigation revealed Johnston was in possession of a half-ounce or more of cocaine and a half-ounce or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute while in Flemington.

In the other charge, on June 2, 2023, Johnston allegedly withdrew $1,000 in cash from the Flemington Democratic Club’s bank account at a bank branch in Bridgewater. At the time of the transaction, Johnston was a former officer of the club who did not have permission to make the cash withdrawal and keep the funds, authorities said.

Johnston’s term on the governing body ended on Dec. 31.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Former Flemington NJ councilman pleads guilty to dealing cocaine