After a series of meetings over the summer, a Grand Jury has handed down indictments against former Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jackie Johnson. Johnson has been charged with Violation of Oath of office for showing favor towards Gregory McMichael in the Ahmaud Arbery case. She has also been charged with obstruction of justice for instructing Glynn County Police not to make an arrest of Travis McMichael in the same investigation.
Documents to follow
From the Attorney General's office:
Carr Announces Indictment of former Brunswick DA for Violation of Oath of Public Officer and Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer
September 2, 2021
ATLANTA, GA —Attorney General Chris Carr today announced the indictment of former District Attorney Jackie Johnson on charges of Violation of Oath of Public Officer and Obstruction of a Police Officer. As alleged in the indictment, these charges are related to the investigation surrounding the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery.
“Our office is committed to ensuring those who are entrusted to serve are carrying out their duties ethically and honestly,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “We thank the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Glynn County Grand Jury for their hard work. While an indictment was returned today, our file is not closed, and we will continue to investigate in order to pursue justice.”
Attorney General Carr’s Prosecution Division presented evidence to a Glynn County grand jury over several months, resulting in Johnson’s indictment* on September 2, 2021. Specifically, the indictment charges the defendant with the following which, if convicted, can carry the respective penalties:
- Violation of Oath of Public Officer – This is a felony that carries 1-5 years.
- Obstruction and Hindering a Law Enforcement Officer – This is a misdemeanor that carries up to 12 months.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation assisted in this investigation.
A copy of the indictment isattachedand no further information about the investigation or about Jackie Johnson’s alleged crimes other than that stated in the indictment may be released at this time.
*Members of the public should keep in mind that indictments contain only allegations against the individual against whom the indictment is sought. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it will be the government’s burden at trial to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the allegations contained in the indictment.