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Name:
Johnson, Christopher James
Date of Booking:
03/06/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
CRIMINAL TRESPASS
ARSON-SECOND DEGREE-BUSINESS
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On Friday, 030626, at 0856 hours, I, Deputy Sudiran Soosaipillai, responded to 2706 Peach Orchard Road (rear of Old Sav-a-Lot) on request from Arson Inv 2 Lt. Linda Warrick. I detained Mr. Christopher James Johnson, who was voluntarily waiting with the fire dept. I read him his Miranda rights off my pocket card and he agreed to speak to me.
He admitted to entering the rear brick storage area located behind the unoccupied building. He stated he went into the 10×10 storage room to smoke some marijuana. He said he went to light his tin foil pipe with a few matches, then “put the matches down” on possibly flammable materials. He stated the matchbox was blue and yellow and contained wood matches. Mr. Johnson later admitted to using a red long BBQ lighter to light his marijuana and then light an old lottery ticket on fire.
He admitted he had no particular reason to light the lottery tickets on fire. He said he got up and “thought he stepped on the fire” and put it out. He admitted to leaving the room and looking back “about a minute later” to see smoke coming out of it. He also acknowledged no other people entered the room after he left. Arson Inv. Lt. Warrick advised on the listed charges and Inv. Sgt William Hornsby B1 approved the felony warrant.
Search incident to arrest (and with verbal permission) I searched Mr. Johnson’s blue bag and found the described functional red BBQ lighter and a full box of wooden matches with blue and dark yellow packaging. Mr. Johnson identified the box as identical to the other box he had that was empty. There were also two other long BBQ lighters in his bag. I collected the lighters and matches under Property Receipt #544853 and placed them in Evidence locker A2 located at 400 Walton Way (RCSO HQ).
I arrested Mr. Christopher James Johnson for Arson 2nd Degree and Criminal Trespass and committed him to The Charles B. Webster Detention Center. The Waiver was transmitted, electronically, to the Booking Desk and to the Records Division. The subject was searched for weapons and contraband prior to transport to CBWDC. The back seat of my Patrol Vehicle was also searched prior to the subject entering and after exiting.
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
3/12/26
NOTICE OF LEAD PROSECUTOR
What this means: The State has designated Larry Smith as the lead prosecutor handling Christopher James Johnson’s case in Richmond County.
3/13/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE
What this means: Stephen E. Curry has entered his appearance as the defense attorney representing Christopher James Johnson in this case.
3/13/26
REQUEST FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING
What this means: The defense has requested a preliminary hearing, which is a court proceeding where the State must present evidence to show there is probable cause that Christopher James Johnson committed the crimes he is accused of.
4/8/26
ACCUSATION FILED
What this means: The State has filed an accusation against Christopher James Johnson charging him with criminal trespass and arson in the second degree involving a business. An accusation is a formal charging document that initiates prosecution.
4/27/26
CHANGE OF PLEA AND SENTENCING — FIRST OFFENDER STATUS
What this means: Christopher James Johnson pleaded guilty to the charges against him. The court accepted his plea and sentenced him under First Offender status. On the felony arson in the second degree charge, he received 5 years’ probation. On the misdemeanor criminal trespass charge (Count 2), he received 12 months’ probation. Under First Offender status, these convictions will not appear on his permanent criminal record if he successfully completes probation without further violations. He also signed a waiver of his Fourth Amendment rights (allowing searches without a warrant under certain conditions) and acknowledged the special conditions of his probation, which were documented in an inventory provided by the court.