Joplin man receives 10 years for sexual assault on clerk in store bathroom

A Joplin man who assaulted a clerk in a store bathroom on the east side of Joplin was sentenced November 4 to 10 years for kidnapping and four years for attempted sodomy, with the sentences to run concurrently.

Lawrence Johnson, 39, pleaded guilty in August under a plea agreement with the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office. He had originally been charged with kidnapping, sodomy and two counts of assault.


Johnson attacked two women at Joplin stores in January 2017

The first attack occurred when the woman was the only one working at the store. Johnson lured her into the bathroom claiming there was a problem, forced her to remove her clothes.

The probable cause affidavit indicated Johnson used the same method of operation for the second attack but the woman was able to thwart him before any sexual assault took place. Others were working in the store at the time.

Joplin Police arrested Johnson shortly after the second attack as he was entering a third business, the Kum N Go at 4th and St. Louis.

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