IngWald Johnson Reaches Plea Agrement
By Stacey Creasy
Pilot News
PLYMOUTH� Ingwald Johnson has quietly agreed to a plea deal that may keep him in prison for at least two more years.
Johnson was sentenced in 1998 to five years in prison with two years suspended. With credit for good time served, he could have been a free man in 18 months.
Johnson asked for a few days to get his affairs in order. Instead of reporting to serve his time, he fled the country and was on the lam for four years.
It turned out to be a costly extended vacation from justice. In December 2001, Johnson was arrested in Cyprus and brought back to Marshall County to face his original charge plus a felony count of failure to appear.
Johnson is serving his original sentence in the Westville Correctional Facility. On Friday, he agreed to a deal calling for another 18 months behind bars. He must also pay restitution for the cost of transporting him from Cyprus to Marshall County.
�The restitution is more than $6,000,� a court official said.
The plea bargain is not yet a done deal. Special judge Doug-las Morton must agree to the plea.
Johnson�s sentencing has been set for Jan. 27.
Morton presided over the case which was prosecuted by special prosecutor Rick Brown of Fulton County. Johnson�s attorney asked Marshall County Prosecutor Curt Palmer and Marshall Superior Court Judge Robert Bowen to recuse themselves because they were listed as potential witnesses in Johnson�s trial, a trial that will not take place if the plea deal is accepted by Morton.
Johnson was convicted in 1998 of possession of child pornography and child seduction. If he would have served his original sentence, he would have been released from prison about two years ago.
If Morton accepts the plea, Johnson�s sentences will be served consecutively. He will complete the prison term he is now serving and will then begin the next 18-month sentence.
Without the plea deal Johnson could have received up to eight years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
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