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FORT SCOTT —
Joseph A. Johnson, 28, Fort Scott, was sentenced to the maximum one year in jail for felony DUI in the District Court of Crawford County in Pittsbrug. The case arose from an incident in December 2011 when Johnson was driving on Joplin in Pittsburg and struck a vehicle with three high-school teenagers.
As one of the teenagers got out of the vehicle, she was struck by another vehicle and received multiple, severe injuries. The parents and all three teenagers spoke at sentencing about how the incident affected their lives.
“I am very proud of these three young adults who had the courage to confront the defendant. I am certain this impacted the Court’s decision in the sentence that was ultimately handed down” said Michael Gayoso, Jr., Crawford County Attorney.
Johnson, who had two prior DUIs, did not speak to the Court or the victims when given the opportunity. Johnson was also convicted of aggravated battery and was sentenced to 11 months in prison on that count.
The Court suspended that portion of the sentence and placed him on probation for a period of 18 months pursuant to the Kansas sentencing guidelines.
However, the court ordered the two counts to run consecutive to each other. His probation will not begin until he is finished serving his yearlong sentence.
Johnson was taken into custody immediately following the proceedings and was ordered to pay restitution on medical expenses of all three teenagers.
Joseph A. Johnson, 28, Fort Scott, was sentenced to the maximum one year in jail for felony DUI in the District Court of Crawford County in Pittsbrug. The case arose from an incident in December 2011 when Johnson was driving on Joplin in Pittsburg and struck a vehicle with three high-school teenagers.
As one of the teenagers got out of the vehicle, she was struck by another vehicle and received multiple, severe injuries. The parents and all three teenagers spoke at sentencing about how the incident affected their lives.
“I am very proud of these three young adults who had the courage to confront the defendant. I am certain this impacted the Court’s decision in the sentence that was ultimately handed down” said Michael Gayoso, Jr., Crawford County Attorney.
Johnson, who had two prior DUIs, did not speak to the Court or the victims when given the opportunity. Johnson was also convicted of aggravated battery and was sentenced to 11 months in prison on that count.
The Court suspended that portion of the sentence and placed him on probation for a period of 18 months pursuant to the Kansas sentencing guidelines.
However, the court ordered the two counts to run consecutive to each other. His probation will not begin until he is finished serving his yearlong sentence.
Johnson was taken into custody immediately following the proceedings and was ordered to pay restitution on medical expenses of all three teenagers.
