Robert Johnson (prison officer)
Robert Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1953 (age 70–71) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Consultant |
Robert Johnson (born 1953) is a retired South Carolina Department of Corrections Captain and United States Air Force veteran.[2][3][4] He was a guard at the Lee Correctional Institution in South Carolina, where he oversaw efforts to stop contraband cellphones and drugs.[5]
Air Force service[edit]
He joined the Air Force as a military policeman and retired after 20 years as a master sergeant. He was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Shaw Air Force Base, Ellsworth Air Force Base and Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.
Attempted assassination[edit]
On the morning of March 5, 2010, Johnson was the victim of a hit orchestrated by criminals within Lee Correctional Institution. That morning, a gunman broke into Johnson's home and shot him six times with a .38 caliber revolver in the stomach and chest before leaving him for dead. Johnson's wife, Mary, was home but uninjured.[4]
Johnson was targeted by prisoners at the facility as retaliation for stopping contraband items such as drugs and cell phones from entering the prison.[6][7] Following the shooting, Johnson began advocating for cell phone blocking technology in prisons around the country.[8] In 2014, Sean Echols was charged for his role in the attempted murder.[4]
Advocacy[edit]
In 2017, Johnson testified before the Federal Communications Commission prior to their vote approving the streamlining of processes required use technology to block and detect contraband phones in prisons.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ Shepard, Willard. "Ex-Corrections Officer Works to Disconnect Inmates' Cell Phones". NBC Miami.
- ^ Dubensky, Bill. "South Carolina Correctional Officer Pushes for Technology to Jam Cell Signals From Prisons". South Carolina Radio Network.
- ^ Thomas, Pierre; Krolowitz, Ben. "Calling UP Hits: Cell Phones Used Behind Bars".
- ^ a b c Monk, John. "Federal Judge Gives Would-Be Assassin 20 Years in Plot to Kill S.C. Prison Guard Captain". The State.
- ^ Barr, Jody. "Former Officer Survives "Hit", Takes Story to Washington". WISTV 10.
- ^ "Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Murder-for-Hire in Shooting of Correctional Officer". The Federal Bureau of Investigation.
- ^ Smith, Glenn. "Shooting Victime Reaches Milestone Ex-Corrections Captain Attends Arraignment in Murder Plot Case". The Post and Courier.
- ^ Brown, Angela. "Former Corrections Officer Shot 6 Times Now Working to Stop Prisoners Using Cell Phones". ABC News 4 Charleston.
- ^ Kinnard, Meg. "FCC Approves Measures Intended to Combat Prison Cellphones". U.S. News.
External links[edit]
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