Prosecutor Says Money Was Motive In Alleged Murder Plot
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
ALBION - Financial gain is believed to be the motive behind a Syracuse woman's alleged attempt to have her husband killed.
Tammy Lynn Johnson, 41, of Turtle Bay Estates on Harkless Drive, is being held in the Noble County Jail on a Class A felony charge of conspiracy to commit murder. Her bond is set at $2 million.
According to Noble County Prosecutor Steven Clouse, Johnson allegedly gave $200 to two men in what was believed to be a plot to kill her husband, Rick Johnson, who is a Ligonier Police Department officer.
Mr. Johnson was not aware of the investigation involving his wife until she was taken into custody at their home on Friday evening. The investigation began Wednesday after the confidential informants with whom Tammy Johnson allegedly was plotting reported the information to police.
Johnson reportedly gave two individuals money to buy a gun and clothes to wear while they pretended to rob the Dollar General Store in Ligonier, where she worked as manager. She allegedly was planning to stage a robbery at the store on April 29 when her husband would be there with her. In the alleged plan, Rick Johnson would have been shot, officials said.
Upon Rick Johnson's death, Tammy Johnson would receive benefits from his life insurance, which reportedly would be greater if he was killed in the line of duty.
Johnson allegedly planned to give the informants an undisclosed amount of cash and a mobile home in return for killing her husband, court documents indicated.
No charges are expected against the two informants, who cooperated with law enforcement officials, Clouse said. "It is not alleged that they ever planned to go through with it. ... They were concerned enough to contact law enforcement."
Clouse characterized this case as "very unique" and "very serious" for the Ligonier community. "Hopefully, it will never happen again," Clouse said.
Johnson appeared for an initial hearing Monday in Noble Superior Court I. During the hearing, she was appointed a public defender and a not guilty plea was entered on her behalf. Her next court date will be a pretrial conference June 20.
If convicted of the charge against her, Johnson faces a possible prison term of 20 to 50 years.
Rick Johnson is on paid administrative leave from his police duties, Clouse said. [[In-content Ad]]
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ALBION - Financial gain is believed to be the motive behind a Syracuse woman's alleged attempt to have her husband killed.
Tammy Lynn Johnson, 41, of Turtle Bay Estates on Harkless Drive, is being held in the Noble County Jail on a Class A felony charge of conspiracy to commit murder. Her bond is set at $2 million.
According to Noble County Prosecutor Steven Clouse, Johnson allegedly gave $200 to two men in what was believed to be a plot to kill her husband, Rick Johnson, who is a Ligonier Police Department officer.
Mr. Johnson was not aware of the investigation involving his wife until she was taken into custody at their home on Friday evening. The investigation began Wednesday after the confidential informants with whom Tammy Johnson allegedly was plotting reported the information to police.
Johnson reportedly gave two individuals money to buy a gun and clothes to wear while they pretended to rob the Dollar General Store in Ligonier, where she worked as manager. She allegedly was planning to stage a robbery at the store on April 29 when her husband would be there with her. In the alleged plan, Rick Johnson would have been shot, officials said.
Upon Rick Johnson's death, Tammy Johnson would receive benefits from his life insurance, which reportedly would be greater if he was killed in the line of duty.
Johnson allegedly planned to give the informants an undisclosed amount of cash and a mobile home in return for killing her husband, court documents indicated.
No charges are expected against the two informants, who cooperated with law enforcement officials, Clouse said. "It is not alleged that they ever planned to go through with it. ... They were concerned enough to contact law enforcement."
Clouse characterized this case as "very unique" and "very serious" for the Ligonier community. "Hopefully, it will never happen again," Clouse said.
Johnson appeared for an initial hearing Monday in Noble Superior Court I. During the hearing, she was appointed a public defender and a not guilty plea was entered on her behalf. Her next court date will be a pretrial conference June 20.
If convicted of the charge against her, Johnson faces a possible prison term of 20 to 50 years.
Rick Johnson is on paid administrative leave from his police duties, Clouse said. [[In-content Ad]]