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Man who helped suspects escape avoids prison sentence

Man who helped suspects escape avoids prison sentence

Jermarcus Johnson, who pleaded guilty last year to helping Young Dolph’s alleged killers escape from Memphis, will not spend time in prison again.

Instead, the judge ruled that he would spend the next six years on diversion, a form of probation. At the end of this diversion, the charge will be dismissed and may be expunged from your record.

During this six-year probationary period, he will have to complete 20 hours of community service per year, continue drug screenings, will not be allowed to own a firearm, must take a parenting class, and will have a career course to take.

Johnson’s sentencing came Friday morning, just two months after his half-brother’s death. Justin Johnsonit was Found guilty of killing Memphis rapper.

Jermarcus Johnson pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact in June 2023. The plea agreement reduced his bail amount and he was released from custody while awaiting sentencing.

He was first charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in November 2022 and surrendered about a week later. The charge was dropped with a plea agreement.

He was facing a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison for the accessory charges.

johnson He testified in his brother’s murder case In September.

“In light of his very, very limited role, in light of the fact that he has no criminal record confirmed by the (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation), in light of the fact that he testified honestly at trial… and the defense, Hon. “He recommends that the judge sentence him to six years of probation,” he said.

What was Jermarcus Johnson accused of?

Prosecutors say Johnson He assisted one of the other men allegedly involved in the murderHe said his half-brother, Justin Johnson, hid and ran after the shooting and that he facilitated the payments for Young Dolph’s murder. They also said his role was “much less” than the other three men charged with the conspiracy.

According to prosecutors, this role involved Jermarcus Johnson obtaining a phone and a car from Justin Johnson; however, this is not the same as seen in security camera footage of the attack. Jermarcus Johnson is said to have helped his half-brother fool his parole officer during regularly scheduled parole searches.

Jermarcus Johnson also pleaded guilty to facilitating phone calls between Justin Johnson and the other alleged attacker, Cornelius Smith.