By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The (Aberdeen) Daily World reports that 11 criminal charges including extortion and bribery were filed yesterday against a Pacific County sheriff’s deputy following an investigation conducted by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office at the Pacific County sheriff’s request.
The newspaper writes that Deputy Vance O. Johnson, 44, has been on administrative leave since April; and that the charges in Pacific County Superior Court stem from on-duty behavior.
Kim I really think you should get your info straight before you publicly bash the parents and kids. If you know them so well you would know that these parents are hard workers so what in your mind qualifies these families as “rich?” By the reports Vance also had an issue with the one mother having a nice vehicle. You are right…. The truth will come out. These kids are not a bunch of law breaking hellions as you claim . When have they all they broke the law before? Either way if your claiming that the chase didn’t happen (even tho officer Johnson told the one of the mothers he chased them until he said “it got out of control. “) he did multiple times threaten felony charges or pay $1500.00 as all the reports state. I’m not sure what you are claiming did or did not happen or what you are basing your opinion on. The action of throwing an egg was wrong…..obviously but officer Johnsons solution to the problem was wrong also and that’s what this is about. So the way this shakes down after reading so many comments of others having bad encounters with him is that he over stepped his boundaries as a public servant with his demands and that’s on these kids and their parents.
Kim, so where is this report that was filed with RPD or the Sheriff? Would you not do whatever you could for your kids? I know I would and have. They are held responsible for their actions, but I would and will continue to protect them in anyway I can. I think that I have done a very good job in raising my kids to be responsible and respect others property. I don’t think that a lot of people claim to be “god” and can do whatever they want or think. This is totally inappropriate for a police officer to claim. I do know that he did claim this. Yes I do believe that the truth will come out. I don’t think this is a witch hunt by anyone.
Vance knows that he did wrong. I think the kids were wrong to egg any vehicles, but what he did was wrong.
Kim #2, yes this is my REAL name. There was a report made RPD did NOTHING same as the Sheriff when he was notified of the situation. So for you saying no report was made you are WRONG. I am not trying to bash these kids as you claim. All I am trying to do is show that this isn’t the first incident these parents have covered for these same select kids. I know several people who claim they are “god” it is a figure of speech so that means nothing to me. As a teenager/ young adult NO I didn’t do anything like this. I was taught early that you RESPECT other’s property. All I can say is the truth WILL come out and these kids will have their stories proved WRONG. I laugh when these stories come out in the paper because so many facts are left out. So when you say KARMA I believe the egg throwers and false reporters need to be on the look out cause it does get you.
Kim, is that even your real name?? Having had dealings with Mr. Johnson I know for a fact that this man thinks he is above the law. There have been many complaints about him with nothing done from the PCSO. so if it takes someone with a little money and a little”status” to get the PCSO to do something about him then so be it..! I would assume that you are a grown adult, so if bashing high school children makes you feel good about yourself, you need to take that degree and get a REAL job and a life.. truley are you so perfect that you never did anything wrong as a child that was over looked by mommy and daddy? These are young adults still learning from their actions. Mr. Johnson is a grown adult, would never say he is a man!!He actually told me himself that he was “god” and could do what ever he wants! Having had a few encounters with Mr Johnson (not directly involving myself) I believe that he absolutely commited every crime he is being accused of!! He has harrassed people continuosly over the 5 years he has been here, he has threatened people and has been a jerk to just about everyone that has had to encounter him!!! KARMA….I hope he gets what he deserves, it’s a long time coming!!!! Try to argue that Kim, its all 100% the truth and its sickening he has gotten away with it this long!!! The way you are protecting him and blaming everyone else, seems like he is your spoiled brat. your comments and responses regaurding Mr. Johnson makes you no different than the parents of the spoiled brats that you are bashing. If you dont like them, LOOK IN THE MIRROR!!!!!!! Bottom line Vance should have handled it just like the rest of us comon folk and filed a report just like the rest of us would have had to do.
This personal attack on people has to stop!! If there is evidence of lies it will come out. Deputy Johnson must prove himself. He knows he was wrong , he will take his punishment . My only concern is why did Lewis county charge this at a felony level? Come on extortion??? Let’s get back to basics people. Stop the attacks on these kids and on deputy Johnson , justice will prevail!!!!
Kim you should really read all of the reports before bashing everyone. If you know these kids parents’ personally have you shared your thoughts with them? I have a hard time believing all the parents are lieing about their encounters with Johnson.
Kim….you can believe what you want. Officer Johnson admitted to the chase and speeds reaching 65 to 75 mph. It is in the reports. He stopped “when things got outta control.” In my opinion he stopped when he realized he screwed up. I share the same thoughts as Nobodyimportant. Unfortunately for officer Johnson he admitted the chase in front of officer Verboomen.
I have read all of the comments here. It’s too bad that the deputy did not allow RPD to handle the case. If he had, he would not be in the position that he is now. It’s really too bad.
Oh good grief Kim get real. Speculation and hearsay do not stand in ANY courts in the State of Washington. You have no credible witnesses, other that you saying I know the moms and kids and degrading them. You continue to put the blame on the kids and the parents like its all their fault for the actions that Deputy Johnson allegedly took. You continue to bash the Raymond police department and bad mouth them. Yet this article is about Deputy Johnson and the 11 criminal charges he faces in court. Not about the kid’s actions which is a total different case.
You continue to try to make excuses and play what ifs and why did the kids do this. You paint Deputy Johnson as a do gooder and your opinion is he has done no wrong in this situation. If he is innocent, where is his statement in the investigation? Why is
Another thing, if you know SO much about the case and what the kids and parents did and that the Raymond police department is hiding stuff and Deputy Johnson did nothing wrong, WHY don’t you step forward and contact the Lewis County’s Prosecutors office and give them your very credible information.
I get they aren’t denying the egg throwing. I believe these accusations are false. I doubt he did these things. I believe that people are covering example rpd officers cause they only know how to do traffic stops and nothing else. I also believe the truth got twisted because children are being protected. If my vehicle got damages I would say to anyone who damaged y property ” you pay for damages or I will prosecute”. So being average Joe would I be charged criminally. Probably not!
Kim…We are all taught life is fair when it really is not. I’m sure everyone reading here has seen children of wealthy/powerful parents, receive different treatment than the rest of the children. Don’t let them off the hook and don’t let the posts here rile you too much.
Thanks for filling in some of the blanks, Kim. The picture is a little clearer. Yes, the deputy is in hot water because he overstepped the boundaries for LEOs by essentially offering to “make the charges go away” if the families came up with $1500. If he’d acted as a (rightly upset) private citizen seeking compensation, that would’ve been one thing. Instead he chose to use his authority as an officer to compel them to make him whole, and you just can’t do that.
As for the egg-throwing kids and the parents covering up for them, I totally get your point. We live in a day and age where a LOT of parents are unwilling to confront the fact they’ve raised unaccountable brats, often by trying to be “pals” with them instead of teaching them right from wrong, often defending the indefensible. The result is that we’ve got a generation of young people who have no concept of constraint nor consideration, including this group. These kids will likely end up as problematic adults in their personal and professional lives, too, due to the misguided parents who’ve raised them.
Lurker…The numbers you dispute are correct. Remember that calls come in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 8000 calls per year is less than one per hour, and two to three dispatchers are needed to handle call volume at all time. Not all calls come from the 20,000+ residents that live here….many come from people passing through or visitors countywide. The Long Beach peninsula can have tens of thousands of visitors on a busy summer week, sometimes there are more visitors that permanent residents. The Sheriff’s Office received more than 20,000 calls per year via it’s 911 center, that are then directed to the appropriate agencies (fire, local police, sheriff’s deputies, WSP, Fish and Wildlife, etc.). So no one is lying here…this little county with few deputies handles a lot of calls!
If the “chase” was so endangering. Why didn’t the family call that night? Lots of cell phones in the car that night. Yes I should apply for Lewis County I do have a degree.
Wow Kim….If I didn’t know better it seems like you were there. Sounds like you know as much if not more them the people actually involved. The same goes for Vance…..If damages were that bad he should have filed a case and had it opens for investigation. We can all play the coulda, woulda, shoulda but in all reality two wrongs don’t make a right. As I said before I have yet to see any of these kids or parents deny they were in the wrong or that they would pay what they need too.
Curious taxpayer I believe the rpd was called. Second of all this isn’t the first case that rpd did nothing with. Again everything in the paper isn’t true.
I don’t condone the behavior but really I blame the parents because they protect their children’s behavior instead of teaching right from wrong. Also this isn’t the first incident these parents have covered up to protect them from the law.
Believe what you want. They all got together to confirm their stories. Just like one mother knew of the incident the night it happened and being related to an officer why didnt they call that night? Instead they hid it so they wouldn’t get caught. Or if his actions were so terrible that night they should have gone to police and they could have went to residence the vehicle was egged. No this is to cover their tracks!
I’m confused on what your defending Kim. Are you saying a chase didn’t happen and that Mr. Johnson acted accordingly? I have not seen any denying of the egging, however it was Mr. Johnsons responsibility to file a case on the incident that happened to him and the report reads he denied a case with officer Jarvis. He could have opened a case with Raymond PD (as he should have done) with a vehicle description so they could invesigate and take care of it properly. Instead it lead to am out of control situation.
Its funny you keep trying to put all the blame on the kids. Yes they were wrong egging a car. It is a gross misdemeanor under Washington State law. As far as I know none of the kids deny egging the car. The alleged actions that Deputy Johnson did off duty and then on duty 3 weeks later are numerous felony charges and I am sure numerous violations of the Pacific County Sheriff’s office policies and procedures along with violations of his peace officer certification from Washington State Criminal justice system. Deputy Johnson is held to a higher standard than these kids and he needs to be held liable for his actions along with the kids who egged his car.
I personally have an off road vehicle. It is NOT a vehicle I can pass in. I’m sure it is worse with lifted tires. Mine with out lifted tires take just about a mile to get to 65. That is on a freeway. Call what you want. Truth will prevail!
Interesting. So your saying those mothers allowed their children to write false statements? I know 4 of the 5 wrote statements themselves. Sounds like Lewis County should hire you.
I personally spoke to 2 mothers about this. I know each family member personally.
So your saying his Jeep will not do 65 to 75 miles an hour?? I call bullshit!
Kim…have you personally spoke to all the parents and kids or is your main issue with just one mother involved?
Has anyone checked to see what Mr. Johnson drives? I know and did research this morning and called to verify my research and his vehicle Will not do those speeds!
I personally know all of them! One of the egg throwers was in a crash and i am under the impression alcohol was involved and it was brushed under carpet because of who a patent is. The accuser is best friends with the under sheriff. Wasn’t a harmless prank as one article says damages were done. I believe there is more to the story and again the accuser is telling lies to cover two of the egg throwers actions once again.
Kim….since you seem to have ALL the info, I’m curious if charges for damages have been pursed against these “rich brats?” Last I checked I was under the impression that when a crime was committed in order to do the time some sort if case needs to be filed. Has that happened? I know two sets of these kids’ parents and never one time was I under the impression that they would not have their kids cover damages. This case that is happening is to hold Mr. Johnson accountable for his actions it’s not about the egg…. That would be a separate case all together. I’m sure lessons are being learned on both sides, however if Mr. Johnsons actions were justifiable I don’t think this would be happening.
Well, Kim, since you seem to infer that you know “the other side of the story,” why not enlighten us instead of throwing out a bunch of veiled innuendos? The media has to be mindful of potential libel or defamation lawsuits…a commentator on a website doesn’t. Fill us in.
Concerned Citizen…
Joe, Sally and their three children live in Lebam. Using your figures, they would have called needing a sheriffs response twice last year. Do you experience that level of crime where you live?
Concerned Citizen says: “Seven deputies handle about 8000 calls each year. Google sez Pacific County has a population of 20,575. That equates to 1 in every 2.5 citizens needing sheriffs assistance each year. I believe your figures are inaccurate and whoever gave them to you is a liar.
They just forgot the other side of the story! The truth WILL come out in the end. Media just tells bits and pieces of what they want to tell us!
You do realize “the media” got their information from the court documents that are public record. You obviously have gotten bits and pieces of your information from somewhere and are being basis against the factual information provided by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s office through the investigation from the Lewis County Sheriff’s office.
I left- you read an article and recant statements? Do you honestly believe the “media”
I think I will withdraw some of my original comments on this case. Thanks to Nobodyimportant for to more information.
Now, having said that, I wonder about a lot of the charges. I know from experience that government workers like to put confrontations in extreme terms. So, if you go to a government office and are annoyed a report might say, “Jones was extremely agitated and yelling.” even though you only raised your voice slightly.
However, the officer’s actions hardly sound appropriate either. A police officer CANNOT file felony charges. He should have made appropriate police reports.
Why didn’t officer Verbooman tell the truth about his truck being egged that night too? If miss Brandi was being shouted at and desk being pushed at her as article below states then she could have yelled for help. Also kids was afraid, I am sure he was but probably because he was caught. Did 5 kids have cell phones? Why didn’t they call 911? I know for a fact they have phones!! This is a witch hunt initiated by Mrs. HUBER
http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/details-pacific-county-deputy-s-extortion-bribery-charges
here are more details about the story…
this is the same deputy that had went to dv and the ends up living with the victim and the old sheriff did not do anything!!
This section is commentary, not news. We are allowed to speculate. What would be inappropriate would be for Sharyn to speculate in her news articles, although she could do so if she cared to post a commentary. Speculation is what happens when people are not given the whole story.
I agree allegations need to be looked into. Prosecutor has NO facts he based his charges off of “hear say”. In this case it is because 5 little rich brat parents kids got caught and these particular parents don’t want their “perfect kids” to get punished. “DO THE CRIME PAY THE TIME” PLEASE BEFORE CASTING STONES GET FACT STRAIGHT!
One more comment to “Taxpayer”. I have had contact with staff at the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office and I understand their plight. You complain about having to use a phone to contact a deputy. Speaking with the Sheriff, he says that the deputy’s are often not in the office but in the field responding to calls. They are extremely shorthanded and have over 1224 sq. miles of county to patrol. Seven deputies handle about 8000 calls each year. The Sheriff himself will tell you he “needs more Indians”, but there isn’t funding for them. I feel sorry for them because they are so short staffed. Go talk to them instead of complaining, they are a bunch of hard working people….I know I’m glad I did.
The Sheriff’s Office has an obligation to investigate when allegations are made. What if they didn’t look into citizen’s concern’s about their employees? You say, “shame on them for pursuing such a thing”. Actually, they did the right thing, they contacted an outside agency and asked for an independent objective investigation into the citizen’s allegations. I’m sure they didn’t like to see any of this, but they knew they had to do the right thing and have it looked into. An outside agency prosecutor who did not know the deputy reviewed the facts and witness statements collected by Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, and determined that charges were appropriate. I believe the prosecutor made his decision on factual information collected over the course of a thorough investigation into the incident. Base your comments on facts, not speculation.
People need to start looking into the prosecutors office in Pacific County. Shame on the sheriff’s office for pursing such a thing. Have you ever went to PCSO and tried to talk with a deputy??? You have to pick up a phone and leave a message. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. Have you ever been a victim of a crime in Pacific County and tried to get into the Prosecutor’s office to talk with someone. Well good luck, while you are outside picking up a phone you can hear much yelling between staff, yea our taxpayers dollars at work.
Don’t you get it? A prosecutor has absolute immunity to bring false charges against anyone. In this case, a little monster has a mommy who works in the prosecutor’s office. (title is “Brandi Huber, Confidential Sec./Chief Deputy Coroner”) Evidently, the cop is the one who investigated Miss Little Perfect. He probably expressed some outrage after Little Miss Perfect egged his vehicle and who knows what else. Happens all the time, there is even a term for it, “being Nyfonged.”
I had to hold my nose to vote for Jonathan Meyer, but then Golden was so bad no one could be worse. It too bad prosecutors don’t have a soul.
Sounds like the good ol’ boys club.
Please start at the beginning. Who is who and what the heck is going down? A bully deputy?
Funny how Brandi’s soon to be brother in law is running for Prosecutor now?! He is now in Lewis County working in the Prosecutor’s office, with that said is this fair for the case to be in Lewis County?
sounds like the entire prosecutor’s office is in Cahoots here to save poor little Michaela from herself – – how long does a mother do this to protect her kid and isn’t this a bit of a conflict using her position in that office? my taxpayer self wonders
Just another way to get her daughter off just like she did when Micheala bullied the girl at Willapa Valley a couple years back. This is Brandi’s way of saving her daughter’s name. I would also like to know who is going to do the reporting of the “other side”
Who is going to publish the story about the personal vendetta that Brandi Hubar has for this charge? her daughter Michaela, Alec Oatfield, Kira Dunsmoor, Chase Flemetis and one other state patrol’s step daughter Egged his vehicle, and Brandi is using her possition to not have charges on her child, and for everyone to look at Vance..