Christopher Johnson, a onetime County Jail officer, was sentenced to three years of probation with six months spent confined to his home plus 100 hours of community service after being found guilty in federal court for obstruction of justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Riordan urged that Johnson be sentenced to 12 months in a federal prison, but U.S. District Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell opted for the lesser sentence, citing his lack of prior criminal behavior and expressing doubt Johnson belonged behind bars.
Johnson was found guilty this fall for withholding information in his written report pertaining to the use of force he and custody deputy Robert Kirsch used during a confrontation with inmate Charles Owens in September 2013. Johnson and Kirsch escorted Owens into a private room after Owens had been mouthing off to Johnson. Once inside, Johnson brought Owens — who was handcuffed at the time — quickly to the ground and shifted Owen’s body so Kirsch could better kick and knee-drop him multiple times.
Omitted from Johnson’s written report was any mention of the force Kirsch deployed. Owens — a Lompoc gang member who has since been convicted of rape and murder — reported the incident to his attorney who urged that he file a complaint. He also checked himself into the jail infirmary complaining of broken ribs.