Former Assistant District Attorney Mark Johnson of Houston County, Alabama, was convicted on Thursday of six corruption charges. The charges stemmed from allegations that Johnson solicited sexual favors from three women who he was prosecuting for crimes. Johnson, a former deputy in the Houston County Sheriff’s Department, was accused of misusing his position to request sexual photos and hire a sex worker.
During the trial, one of the women testified that Johnson pressured her to help him engage a sex worker while she was out on bond. The woman expressed feeling compelled to comply with Johnson’s demands out of fear of facing consequences in her case. The jury found Johnson guilty on three counts of soliciting favors for corrupt purposes and three counts of using his office for personal gain.
State prosecutors from the Attorney General’s office were unavailable for comment following the verdict. Johnson’s defense team argued in court that while his actions were inappropriate, they did not amount to criminal behavior. Despite his health issues, Johnson was taken into custody by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office pending a sentencing hearing. His lawyers have requested his release on bond.