Michigan – A Michigan man from Saginaw has been sentenced to three decades in federal prison for a string of violent offenses, including unlawful imprisonment and multiple counts of witness tampering, in a case that unfolded on the Isabella Reservation in Mt. Pleasant. The announcement came from U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr., who was joined by Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI’s Detroit Division.
Michael Lee Johnson, 45, received a 30-year sentence from U.S. District Judge Linda Parker in Detroit after being found guilty by a jury last November. The charges stemmed from a brutal attack on Johnson’s girlfriend, who had ended their relationship earlier that day. Instead of leaving as instructed by his parole agent, Johnson stayed at her residence and, moments before she returned, messaged her ominously on Facebook saying, “I wanna do something evil.”
When the victim arrived home, Johnson ambushed her from behind, slamming her repeatedly against a wall. He then strangled and suffocated her until she struggled to breathe. But the violence didn’t stop there; Johnson attacked her again later that day, this time in the presence of her children. Prosecutors also revealed that Johnson had confined the victim to a bedroom the night before the assaults began.
To cover up his crimes, Johnson engaged in witness tampering, using various tactics to prevent the victim and potential witnesses from coming forward. These events all occurred on tribal land, as the victim is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe.
The investigation was led by the Saginaw Chippewa Police Department with support from the FBI. Prosecutors Assistant U.S. Attorney Roy Kranz and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Turkelson handled the case, which highlighted the dangers of domestic violence and the severe consequences awaiting those who attempt to silence victims.
Authorities emphasized that this sentence sends a clear message: acts of domestic violence, especially those involving efforts to intimidate or silence victims, will be met with significant punishment. The collaboration between tribal law enforcement and federal agencies was crucial in bringing Johnson to justice and ensuring the safety of the victim and her family.