As the head of a union representing thousands of District government employees, Geo T. Johnson‘s word carried a lot of weight in last year’s mayoral elections. But it turns out that Johnson also carried a less abstract way of getting his point across. In Superior Court yesterday, Johnson pleaded guilty to carrying a sawed-off shotgun in a dispute over a parking space.
The bizarre case began for Johnson, who no longer heads the union, last month. Arguing with two men over a parking spot at D.C. Water’s wastewater treatment plant, Johnson pulled out a baton, according to a police affidavit. Then, Johnson escalated the fight, allegedly taking a loaded sawed-off shotgun out of his SUV after one of the other men threatened to fight him.
As part of his deal, Johnson pleaded guilty to two charges related to the sawed-off shotgun. In exchange, three charges related to ammunition, the baton, and a set of brass knuckles were dropped. Johnson’s attorney didn’t respond to a request for comment. His sentencing is set for April 10.
Johnson was one of Vince Gray‘s most loyal supporters as head of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 20, backing the ex-mayor even when other unions scuffled with Gray. Like his former candidate, though, Johnson failed to keep his job during an investigation. Johnson resigned from D.C. Water last month, according to utility spokesman John Lisle.
Shotgun shells photo by Shutterstock