A resident of Jackson County is now facing a combination of misdemeanor and felony charges in the aftermath of a recent domestic incident that could have resulted in a tragic outcome.
Christopher Johnson, aged 50 and hailing from Whittier, has been apprehended on charges of felony first-degree arson and misdemeanor assault involving a deadly weapon, stemming from the aforementioned incident.
Allegedly, Johnson is accused of intentionally igniting a fire within a residence situated on Firefly Road in Whittier on September 7th, with the victim, Lori Binder-Johnson, present inside the dwelling. According to court documents, Binder-Johnson was indeed inside the house when the fire was initiated.
Johnson is purported to have set fire to a mattress as part of his attempt to burn down the residence, though the fire was successfully extinguished before it could consume the mattress and the entire structure. Firefighters were summoned to the scene primarily to ventilate the home using fans, as stated by Jackson County Fire Marshal Michael Forbis.
Furthermore, amidst the altercation, Johnson is alleged to have employed his car as a weapon, targeting Binder-Johnson. Court documents assert that he intentionally deployed his SUV, a Hyundai Santa Fe, to collide with Ms. Johnson’s white Mini Cooper while she was inside the vehicle.
In the legal context, first-degree arson is categorized as a Class D felony, carrying a potential punishment ranging from 38 to 60 months in prison upon conviction. Meanwhile, assault with a deadly weapon may result in either a Class A1 or Class 2 misdemeanor, potentially leading to sentences of 60 to 150 days in jail, probation, or monetary fines upon conviction.
Subsequently, Johnson was taken into custody and confined in the Jackson County Detention Center. He was later released on bail, with a secured bond set at $50,000.
