Johnny Crowder is the cousin of Boyd Crowder and one of the more visible members of the larger Crowder criminal empire. After patriarch Bo Crowder is released from prison and Boyd turns his attentions to Jesus, Johnny becomes the right-hand man to Bo. But, like most positions in the criminal underworld of Harlan County, Johnny's high standing is tenuous at best. Like his family members, Johnny is an opportunist, not bound by blood or honor so much as cash and the opportunity to acquire it through illegal means.