MAN WHO SHOT AT HOME OF OFFENDER IS SENTENCED

PFMLIT General, VIGILANTE EXAMPLES THAT UNDE

James Johnson, a 23 year old Linden man, is accused of firing a gun at the residence of a high-risk sex offender last year and was sentenced on Friday to multiple 10 year prison terms.  The June 16th shooting is considered by authorities to be the first and most violent case of vigilantism since New Jersey fully enacted Megan's Law in January 1998.  Johnson pleaded guilty in November to two weapons charges and an assault count.  He was sentenced to 10 years each on the weapons counts and 18 months for the assault.  He will not begin serving time for them until he finishes his sentence for a previous robbery conviction.

(Linden, New Jersey)