HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — It’s a story we’ve been covering for more than a year: a Houston attorney accused of bringing drugs into the Harris County courthouse. And then, as the investigation unfolded last year, the same attorney was charged with possessing child pornography.
ABC13 has now confirmed all charges against attorney Jason Johnson have been dropped, just two weeks before the trial against him was scheduled to start.
“It reads like a John Grisham novel, honestly, as facts come out,” Attorney Jason Johnson said.
Standing with supporters and his attorney, Johnson said Tuesday he feels vindicated, though angry.
“They dismissed charges clandestinely at 3 p.m. Friday over a long weekend,” he said, “and then don’t even have the decency to hold a press conference saying, ‘Hey, we messed up.'”
Johnson was accused of working with an inmate he represented and that inmate’s fiancé to smuggle a “Power of Attorney” document laced with synthetic marijuana into the jail.
Records show both testified to planning the exchange at the courthouse because jailers were cracking down on what attorneys could bring to the jail, and investigators said a recording from inside the jail showed Johnson discussing being paid for it.
Johnson and his attorney said those recordings do not show guilt, but they haven’t given us any copies.
“At that time, I didn’t even know drugs could be put on papers,” Johnson said.
As the drug investigation went on, Johnson was also charged with possessing child pornography, with prosecutors claiming he had sexual images on an iPad disguised in a pink Hello Kitty case.
That charge was also dropped.
“Our prosecutors realized the evidence wasn’t there to support a conviction,” District Attorney Sean Teare said.
Teare said the reason for the dismissals is simple, though Johnson believes he was targeted.
“We had a number of people whose stories didn’t exactly stay the same,” Teare said.
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Niko Travis is a dedicated health writer with a passion for providing clear, reliable, and research-backed information about medications and mental health. As the author behind TrazodoneSUC, Niko simplifies complex medical topics to help readers understand the benefits, uses, and potential risks of Trazodone. With a commitment to accuracy and well-being, Niko ensures that every article empowers readers to make informed decisions about their health.
