April 10, 2008
Texas

'Windfarm warrior' back behind bars

Wind farm warrior Roy Johnson, 67, has landed himself back behind the bars of the Eastland County Jail. Johnson was arrested by an Eastland County Deputy Tuesday after a warrant for his arrest was issued.

“No new charges have been filed against Mr. Johnson,” Eastland County Sheriff Wayne Bradford said. “There was concern for Johnson’s safety and the safety of others involved in the case. So, the warrants from last week’s arrest were reissued. This time, Johnson will pay a heftier bond and special conditions have been applied to his release.”

Bradford said Johnson’s release is contingent on him relinquishing his firearms. It was alleged that he, on two separate occasions, fired his gun into the direction of Silver Star I, the windfarm operated by BP America, Inc., and the windfarm’s employees.

Following two separate incidents that last week, Johnson was arrested on three separate charges.

Johnson was charged with one count of criminal mischief, over $20,000 and under $100,000, a third degree felony, for damaging turbine No. 6. A third degree felony is punishable by a maximum fine of $10,000 and up to 10 years in jail. The bond amount was raised Tuesday from $20,000 to $40,000.

In addition, Johnson has been charged with assault causing bodily injury to a BP employee, a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum fine of $4,000 and up to one year in jail. The bond amount was increased from $5,000 to $10,000.

Finally, Johnson was charged with criminal mischief for destroying a fence, a state jail felony, punishable by a maximum fine of $10,000 and up to two years in jail. The bond amount was doubled, from $7,500 to $15,000.

“Johnson has not been a problem whatsoever. From arrest to his current detainment, he hasn’t given us any problems,” Bradford said. “However, he has said that he has no intentions of giving up his guns.”

By Amanda Kimble
Staff Writer