A sweetheart plea bargain deal with the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office might have had Joplin gymnastics coach Kip Johnson, 47, back on the streets in four months on two counts of statutory sodomy.
Only one problem.
Judge Dean Dankelson wasn't having any of it.
During what was supposed to be a sentencing hearing Monday, Dankelson rejected the plea agreement and Johnson, through his attorney Brian Glades, withdrew his guilty plea.
The original deal called for a sentence of five years on each count, with a third charge, furnishing pornographic material to a minor, being dropped. The prosecuting attorney agreed not to oppose an arrangement that could have allowed Johnson to complete a program for sex offenders and be released after 120 days.
The case will be transferred to Jasper County Circuit Court Division 3 and will now be handled by Judge David Mouton.
Johnson also faces two counts of statutory sodomy in Newton County Circuit Court. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for April 23.The allegations against Johnson in Jasper County were described in the probable cause statements filed in the two counties.
Johnson began messaging the child through social media and text messages. The messages included Johnson asking (the boy) to send him sexually explicit pictures and/or videos of (himself).
During this period, Johnson began furnishing pornographic nude photos of himself to (the boy). (The victim) was 14 years old when Johnson began sending nude pictures of himself.
At Johnson's request, (the boy) sent nude pictures of himself through social media and text message. On the day of the incident, Johnson asked (the boy) through text message if he wanted to do "something," alluding to (the boy) having sexual intercourse after gymnastics practice on that Saturday.
Johnson volunteered to give (the boy) a ride home after practice. Johnson stopped at his other workplace, Freeman Rehabilitation and Sports Center at 2206 E. 32nd Street, Joplin, Newton County, Missouri, with (the boy).
Johnson told (him) to follow him into the building. (The boy) recalled entering the back entrance and Johnson putting in a code to shut off the alarm system. (The boy) recalled exact directions inside of the building where Johnson led him into an exam room on the first floor. Johnson kissed (the boy) and tugged on (his) shirt.
After that, the probable cause statement says Johnson performed a sex act on the boy, then had the boy perform a sex act on him.
The Jasper County probable cause statement notes Johnson's previous alleged assaults against the boy and an assault at Johnson's home.
The sexual assaults occurred in Joplin, Missouri and various locations where gymnastics competitions were held in the United States.
On the day of the incident, Johnson asked (the boy) to come to his home and alluded to him about having sexual intercourse. Johnson picked up the child and took the child to his home at 2502 S. Evan Wood Terrance, Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri, where (they engaged in a sex act and had intercourse) in his bedroom at the residence. (A graphic description is provided in the statement about the act.)
(The boy) was able to remember specific details of Johnson's bedroom, including the color of his bed sheets and bedding.
A residential search warrant was executed of 2502 S Evan Wood Terrance on 02/02/2021. Johnson's bedding and sheets matched the description of (the boy's) disclosure. The items were placed into evidence. Detectives located lubricant used for sexual intercourse inside of the residence.
5 comments:
Defense attorneys....blah blah, whatever, with their laundered drug money palaces, I expect this. Judges are just as corrupt (though Kudos to Dankelson.....his record on sentencing is abysmal so I'm shocked). What really disgusts me here is the Prosecutor. They are supposed to protect the community they serve, not pimp it out to scumbag pedophiles.
Does this accused person know someone important?
It's like he's been offered a really good deal like an accused pastor or politically connected person might get.
hang the POS
This is a Perfect Example of where we have got to STOP BEING SOFT ON CRIMINALS. Elected and Appointed - Politicians / Judges / Prosecuting Attorneys - need to listen to the People that put them into Office - - and STOP Allowing Criminals - Get Out of Jail Free Cards.
Even Jurors start feeling Sorry for these Criminals - They had a Hard Life / They are Alcoholics or Addicted to Drugs / There Dog Ate their Homework / Etc., Etc., Etc., - - So they give them light or Time Served Sentences - and expect them to jump back into Society a Better Person - when the Truth is the Rehabilitation of these Criminals are Not Working.
How many Times have these Judges / Prosecuting Attorneys - given them Light or No Sentences and then they Turn Right Around and Drive Drunk or Commit Another Crime - We have Read where some of them have been given 4 or 5 or 6 Opportunities and still Commit Another Crime - What would these Politicians / Judges / Prosecuting Attorneys / or Jurors say - - If they were Victim of these Criminals - then it would be a Different Story!!!
So Stop Feeling Sorry for the Criminals and Start Feeling Sorry for the Victims - - Because Someday You or Your Family may be their Next Victim....
I feel the need to put my 2 cents in here.
I recently had to deal with a local prosecutor who I won’t name. I am the father of an under aged sexual assault victim, complaints were filed, investigation done, detectives found more then enough evidence to bring charges.
I kept in contact with said prosecutor throughout this ordeal and had provided evidence and other girls willing to share their own stories of his actions with them and my daughter was very willing to testify. During this time the perp committed another felony while out on bond.
This charge was not of a sexual nature and was something he had repeatedly done and been charged with over the years. The prosecutor called me and said he was willing to take the new felony that carried up to a 10 year sentence if they would drop the sexual assault case.
I protested as I felt he should be on the registry as this was proven to be a pattern.
I was told that it really didn’t matter what I thought and that informing me of this was just a courtesy. The new case would be a much quicker process and the end results would be the same. Again I protested as that just wouldn’t be true.
They gave him the plea and he was out in less than 2 years.
I feel that the prosecutor in this case was just taking the easy route and not really interested in justice and more about clearing the case load. My daughter got no justice and went through a lot of uncomfortable interviews and processes trying to keep this from happening to more girls. 2 weeks after he was released he posted a pic on Facebook with his arm around an underaged girl.
I see this over and over and I know the judges can be easy on these defendants but we have to get them to the judge with charges first.
I applaud the judge in this case as I was not very happy with this guys deal either.
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