[PHOTO CREDIT: James Hope, J.D.]
NOTE: These cases — sometimes merely newsworthy events or situations — have caught our attention. However, not all investigations lead to summons, arrest, criminal charges, conviction, or a judgment for monetary damages. Nor are all persons who are accused of misfeasance or malfeasance guilty of anything. Every person should enjoy a strong presumption of innocence, and the a right to a vigorous defense.
State of Florida v. David Adam Johnson (Lake County Case #2019-MM-003821-A)
Quick Summary: The State Attorney’s Office has formally charged Johnson with the crime of misdemeanor battery. At the time of his arrest he was serving as an officer with the Clermont Police Department. The allegations contained in the probable cause affidavit are that Johnson’s wife placed a 911 call, and deputies responded to the couple’s home — at which time the wife made the following complaints against her husband:
“[S]he was concerned what was going to happen now that she finally called the cops. She stated that he had thrown a baby shampoo bottle at her striking her in the face, kicked a trash can in to her legs, shoved her by her face with an open hand three times, grabbed her right arm, and pushed her against the living room wall where she fell to the ground…. She said that the arrestee has anger issues that have progressively worsened over the years. She also stated that this time, the look in his eyes left her in fear and that she did not know what he might do.She stated that they have had physical altercations in the past but this was the worst so far. He had smashed her phone to the point of glass shattering throughout the bathroom this past April to the point where the phone had to be sent off to recover data.”
Allegedly Johnson’s most recent actions played out in front of the the couple’s two young children.