LONNIE JOHNSON WALKS FREE: SEX OFFENDER REMAINS LIBERATED DESPITE NEW UTAH LAW

huffingtonpost.com/Paul Foy

Lonnie Johnson, a 39 year old convicted sex offender who faces nearly two dozen charges inUtah but has remained free because of a legal loophole, likely will never face trail or be confinedto an institution.  Johnson was charged in 2007 with 21 sodomy and sex assault counts afterpolice said he had inappropriate contact with his stepdaughter and her cousin.  A year later ajudge deemed Johnson incompetent to stand trial due to a cognitive disorder.  He spent abouttwo and a half years at Utah State Hospital while doctors worked to make him well enough for trialbut last year they said he had shown little improvement, and he was eventually set free after beingdeemed beyond treatment.  A legal loophole in Utah law at the time the charges were filedwouldn't allow a judge to consider Johnson's pending criminal case or his previous rape convictionin Washington state when determining whether he was a danger to society.  He is under norestrictions or court orders governing his conduct, movement or association with young childrenbecause his probation from Washington state has expired.  The only legal stipulation he facesis to keep his whereabouts updated on Utah's sex offender registry because of his previousWashington state conviction for rape.
(Salt Lake City, Utah)