'I'm extremely embarrassed.' Veteran Montgomery Co. cop sentenced for gifting cell phones

ROCKVILLE, Md. (WJLA) — A “lapse in judgment” is how a veteran Montgomery County cop described his actions in a criminal case that forced him to retire after he gifted department iPhones to loved ones.

In December, Christopher Johnson of the 500 block of Sylvan Court in Frederick, pleaded guilty to misconduct in office, a misdemeanor in Maryland. Early morning on January 15, a judge sentenced Johnson — who is no longer a member of the Montgomery County Police Department — to probation before judgment.

“It’s just a shame,” defense attorney Andy Jezic stated before the court. “We ask you not to judge him for the transgressions at the very end of his career.”

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

In August, police stormed Johnson’s townhome with a search warrant in hand. They confiscated numerous items, including firearms, ammunition and technological devices. The Frederick Police Department went so far as to distribute a confidential bulletin warning officers to exercise "extreme caution" should they encounter Johnson.

For months, rumors and questions swirled around the local police community. What exactly did Johnson do? Would he be charged with a crime? And if so, would he end up serving time in jail?

On December 5, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office filed the misdemeanor misconduct charge against Johnson. Although numerous law enforcement sources have stated Johnson’s thievery was extensive, prosecutors only focused on three iPhones which had a combined value of around $300.

“In our view, that’s the only arguably illegal act. He deprived the county of $300 of merchandise," Jezic remarked. “If I look back at my career and have a microscope on everything I’ve done at different stressful times in my life, I know that there would be lots of warts."

SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES

In an effort to keep Johnson out of a jail cell, Jezic noted that the 50-year-old has already faced significant ramifications. For one, he lost a lucrative six-figure job with Arlington County, Virginia, after someone alerted officials there about the criminal case.

“He had a $100,000-plus offer, that, for lack of a better word, was going to be a fairly cushy job. He was going to be able to make that salary for probably 15 years or more... and that is not there now,” Jezic stated while holding onto an employment-offer letter dated June 28, 2019.

In addition to a sizable financial blow, Jezic drew attention to the public scrutiny his client has endured in recent months.

“This case is now all over the Internet. It’s on Google. There’s a reporter in the courtroom. How do you get something off Google when it’s legit? You can’t. So, it will be there for decades, unless somehow [my client] develops website materials to push it down, and that’s not going to happen.”

VIOLATION OF PUBLIC TRUST

The Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office acknowledged that the level of thievery in the case was “relatively small,” but that the violation of public trust was notable.

“You don’t have to hunt very far to find police officers routinely getting trashed for beating up civilians, being corrupt, ignoring their job duties. This kind of conduct just feeds into that mentality,” stated Bryan Roslund, Chief of the Special Prosecutions Division.

Roslund referred to the Johnson case as a stereotypical “white-collar crime” where arrogance clouds a person’s judgment, in turn, leading them into thinking, “the rules don’t apply to me.”

“Somehow his moral compass went astray, and he made that decision that it’s okay for him to use county equipment for however he feels... How he gets that morale compass sorted out again? I think that is part of the issue,” Roslund opined.

Public corruption is not commonplace in Montgomery County, certainly not when compared to major cities like Chicago and Detroit. Yet, the jurisdiction of nearly 1.1 million residents has endured a handful of financial embezzlement scandals in recent years.

Additionally, politicians like County Executive Marc Elrich (D) and Councilmember Will Jawando (D-At Large) have criticized the police department on a variety of matters including racial profiling and a lack of oversight.

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“[This] is not quite to Peter Bang level of $7 million stolen from the coffers, but it is something that has harmed and stained every other member of law enforcement in this community," Roslund noted.

ISSUING A MEA CULPA

Johnson stood up and addressed the court for around five minutes, apologizing for what he described to be “an extremely poor lapse in judgment.”

“I’ve done nothing since 21 years old but do this job,” Johnson shared. “I’m extremely embarrassed for myself, for my family and friends who now have to think after 29 years, this is how it all ended.”

Johnson explained that despite the thievery of department equipment, he has saved the county “millions of dollars” over the years by spearheading savvy negotiations with technology vendors. Johnson noted one specific instance where he secured $90,000 in cell phone reimbursements after identifying incorrect overage charges.

Johnson also highlighted the fact that his position within the police department did not require him to pursue charges and make arrests. Instead, he worked as the Radio Systems Manager within the Information Management and Technology Division. His day-to-day duties consisted of purchasing, programming, maintaining and keeping inventory of the department's radio equipment.

“I have been off the street since 2005, so it’s been 16, 17 years since I’ve been involved in prosecuting anybody or going after anybody. I’m not saying that in a way of a double standard, yes I’m still sworn police officer, and I am responsible and accountable as I should be.”

Johnson stressed that he cooperated with investigators from the get-go, providing them with a key to his Frederick townhouse, the combination to his safe and passcode for his smartphone.

“I am extremely apologetic for what I’ve done. I realize that in my position as a government employee, I have breached the trust of the people, which I have served for 29 years.”

AVOIDING JAIL TIME

Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Harry Storm looked at Johnson in the eyes and echoed that the criminal case centers on a “lapse in judgment” that violated the public’s trust.

“No doubt this is not the way you envisioned your career ultimately ending,” Judge Storm remarked. “I do believe you are remorseful [but] I think there has to be some consequence for this.”

Judge Storm admitted that he struggled to find an appropriate sentence in the case. He ultimately opted to place Johnson on probation before judgment. That will allow the now-retired cop to file for expungement in three years, so long as he abides by the terms of his probation and does not break any other laws.

Judge Storm ordered Johnson to perform 50 hours of community service. Upon completion of those hours, Johnson will be taken off of supervised probation.

“This serves as a reminder to everyone that you can really lose everything that you’ve worked so hard to achieve by a single lapse in judgment, regardless of the many years of good service and good conduct,” Judge Storm concluded.

Johnson confirmed to ABC7 that he is already receiving his police department pension. Montgomery County officials had previously stated it is bound by the terms of its union contracts. It remains unclear, however, what the police contract states about officers who plead guilty to crimes directly connected to their law enforcement work.