Prosecutor found guilty of extorting sex from female defendants

August 23, 2024 - (Montgomery, Ala) – Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) announced that former Houston County Assistant District Attorney Mark Johnson was found guilty on ethics charges after a Houston County jury returned six guilty verdicts Thursday afternoon. As a result of his six felony convictions, Johnson has been taken into custody.

According to the Attorney General's office, throughout the four-day trial, the Houston County jury heard evidence that Johnson used his position as a county prosecutor to solicit and receive sexual favors for himself from three defendants. In one situation, Johnson solicited an escort from a defendant facing life in prison for a drug trafficking charge. Johnson later solicited that same defendant for another girl who had just been released from prison. In addition, Johnson solicited and received a sexual photo, and in exchange, helped a female defendant stay out of court-ordered drug rehabilitation so that he could continue to communicate with her in Houston County. In another instance, Johnson solicited sexual photos and sexual contact, then helped a female defendant avoid active warrants and fine deadlines that resulted from convictions over which he was the prosecutor.

On Thursday, the jury convicted Johnson on all counts in the indictment.

"This is a clear case of someone habitually using their position to exploit vulnerable women for his own gratification," Attorney General Steve Marshall said. "Mr. Johnson violated the public trust by taking advantage of the community he swore to serve and protect, and he now must be held accountable for his crimes."

Johnson faces possible sentences of two to 20 years for each conviction. Sentencing will occur at a later date.

This case was prosecuted by Attorney General Marshall's Special Prosecutions Division, including Assistant Attorney Generals Kyle Beckman, Alana Cammack, and Jasper Roberts. He gives special thanks to the special agents and support staff for their hard work in prosecuting the case. He also thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its invaluable investigative assistance and the Houston County District Attorney's Office for its cooperation and assistance in this case