Christopher Shawn Johnson, 38, was sentenced this week to life in prison plus 20 additional years after being convicted of raping a child.
Court testimoney said that the case came to light when a child confided in a teacher, saying he feared for his older brother’s safety. A school resource officer was notified, leading authorities to the Johnson home, where investigators discovered evidence of severe physical abuse.
Johnson and his wife, Hannah Marie Johnson, were both arrested following that visit. While investigating the initial abuse claims, police later learned that one of the children had been sexually assaulted by Christopher Johnson for more than a year, beginning when she was 12 years old.
The complex case led to three separate trials. Hannah Johnson was convicted earlier this year of cruelty to children and sentenced to 10 years of probation. Christopher Johnson faced two separate trials — one for the sexual assault charges and another for the child cruelty charges — and was found guilty on all counts. Thursday’s sentencing covered both cases.
Assistant District Attorney Ashley Cox said during the trail that Johnson beat the boys regularly with a paddle, a stick, punched and kicked them, and even picked one up by the throat and threw him across the room. The three siblings often talked about running away just to escape the abuse.”
The children testified during trial, recounting nearly daily beatings that left them bruised and bloodied.
Johnson chose not to speak before sentencing, though his mother pleaded for leniency, citing his military service and injuries sustained in Iraq.
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Christopher Shawn Johnson, 36 of Rome, was arrested this week after he allegedly forced a female child to have sexual relations with him.
The incidents occurred between a period of time between July 1, 2023 and March 20, 2024.
Johnson is charged with strong arm rape, child molestation and incest with a minor.
