Linton man who allegedly intimidated others in a convenience store may qualify for pre-trial diversion

A Linton man who repeatedly pushed and shoved another customer in a convenience store and got into an altercation with other customers was arrested. The date of his initial hearing has been pushed back because he may qualify for the pre-trial diversion program.

Alec Johnson

Alec Michael Johnson, 22, Linton, was arrested by Officer Joe Riley of the Linton Police Department on Tuesday, February 5, after a call came in to LPD Dispatch from the Sunoco Fast Point Gas Station and Convenience Store in Linton.

When Officer Riley and LPD Officer Adam King arrived at the Fast Point around 9:30 p.m., Johnson appeared to be intoxicated and was agitated. Officer Riley reported that Johnson told them he had a gun pulled on him and that he had been defending himself.

But when Riley spoke to other people who were there including an employee/cashier, they had not seen anyone with a gun, and when he reviewed the store’s surveillance footage, he didn’t see a gun.

Johnson is accused of shoving another customer inside the store, almost knocking him down, then pushing him again, then grabbing the customer by the collar of his shirt and pushing him back against a wall.

Johnson allegedly got into a separate confrontation with another couple of customers outside in the parking area. Officer Riley reported the surveillance footage showed Johnson putting his hands up in a fighting position and antagonizing two men but several other people got in between the two men and Johnson in an effort to defuse the situation.

Johnson wound up handcuffed in the back of a patrol vehicle after he allegedly said to Officer Riley, “Act like a badass all you want, how about you take that badge off so I can beat your ass.” Johnson was then removed from the store and walked to Officer King’s vehicle where Johnson allegedly began to scream and shout profanity.

Johnson was first transported to the Linton Police Department for an interview, then to Greene County Jail where he was booked in around 11:30 p.m.

Johnson’s bond was set at $5,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He posted bond and was released the next day, Wednesday, February 6.

Johnson was scheduled to appear in court for an initial hearing on February 14 but the State requested the proceedings be continued to give time to determine whether Johnson might qualify for the pre-trial diversion program.

The case will be reconsidered at a hearing on April 22.