Woman who threatened to burn down Walmart sentenced.

Morgan Johnson. File photo.

Woman who threatened to burn down Walmart sentenced.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON – A 24-year-old Wellston woman who threatened to burn down Walmart last November received a probationary sentence in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, July 7.

Morgan Faith Johnson pleaded guilty, Feb. 11, to charges of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and retail fraud.

Judge Susan K. Sniegowksi sentenced Johnson to serve 45 days in jail up front — without a report date — of a one-year discretionary jail term. Johnson received credit for 22 days served in jail. “If there is any violation of probation, you will have have to report for 23 days,” Judge Sniegowski said.

Johnson was also ordered to 18 months probation. She appeared in court via Zoom teleconferencing due to COVID-19 precautions.

Johnson was arrested by Mason County sheriff’s deputies, Nov. 3, after throwing merchandise around in the store and threatening to burn it down, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole.

She dumped a can of motor oil down an aisle and threw her cell phone at the deputies as they approached her, Cole said.

She was initially charged with disturbing the peace, disorderly/obscene conduct and a second count of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police, which were dismissed in a plea agreement.

It was noted that Johnson has a minor criminal record with two misdemeanor convictions and no felonies.

“This defendant is going to need assistance to make good decisions,” said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola regarding probation. Spaniola said Johnson has struggled with substance abuse issues.

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 0-9 months.

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