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Saginaw Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Unlawful Imprisonment, Domestic Violence
BAY CITY – Michael Lee Johnson, a 45-year-old Saginaw man, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for unlawful imprisonment, strangulation of an intimate or dating partner, suffocation of an intimate or dating partner, interstate domestic violence, and six counts of witness tampering, announced U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr.
Johnson was convicted by a jury on November 1, 2024, after a trial that revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse against his girlfriend, who is an Indian and lives on the Isabella Reservation in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
The evidence presented at trial established that the victim broke up with Johnson prior to returning home from work. Rather than leave the home as he was ordered to do by his parole agent, Johnson stayed at the residence and moments before the victim arrived home, he sent a Facebook message which said ‘I wanna do something evil.’
When the victim arrived home, Johnson approached her from behind, grabbed her and repeatedly threw her into a wall. Johnson then strangled and suffocated the victim to the point she had trouble breathing. Later, Johnson assaulted the victim again, this time in front of her children. Johnson also held the victim against her will in a bedroom the evening before the assaults.
In an effort to conceal his crimes, Johnson witness tampered in various ways. These incidents occurred on the Isabella Reservation in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
The case was investigated by the Saginaw Chippewa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roy Kranz and former Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Turkelson.
U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. stated, ‘Johnson’s actions were a brutal and heinous display of violence against his partner. His sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes.’
Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division, added, ‘The FBI is committed to investigating and prosecuting domestic violence cases, particularly those that involve violence and threats of violence.’
Johnson’s sentence is a result of his conviction and will serve as a warning to others who engage in similar behavior.
As the investigation and trial made clear, Johnson’s actions had a profound impact on the victim and her family, who were forced to endure the trauma of his abuse.
The Isabella Reservation is a community that values safety and respect, and Johnson’s crimes are a stark reminder of the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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