HONOLULU (AP) — A soldier stationed in Hawaii, Pfc. Dewayne Arthur Johnson II, is facing serious charges in military court linked to the disappearance and suspected murder of his pregnant wife, Mischa Johnson. Her body has yet to be discovered, leading authorities to presume her dead.
The charges against Johnson, who was recently taken into custody, arise from the circumstances surrounding his wife’s disappearance last year. Mischa Johnson, a 19-year-old woman, was reportedly last seen on July 31, 2022, at their residence on Schofield Barracks, an Army base located on Oahu. At the time, she was six months pregnant.
The U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii disclosed in a news release that the charges include the intentional killing of Mischa Johnson, the intentional killing of her unborn child, and obstruction of justice. Additionally, Johnson is charged with providing false statements to authorities, as well as possessing and producing images of child sexual abuse, which further complicates his legal situation.
Johnson’s arrest occurred in August, shortly after his wife's disappearance garnered attention. However, details about whether he has secured a civilian attorney have not been publicly confirmed, as attempts to reach the phone number associated with him went unanswered on Wednesday.
Hailing from Frederick, Maryland, Johnson serves as a cavalry scout in the Army. He enlisted and underwent training at Fort Moore, Georgia, beginning in November 2022, before being assigned to the 25th Infantry Division in 2023.
As the legal proceedings move forward, Johnson's case will be presided over by a military judge, who is responsible for scheduling the arraignment, pretrial hearings, and the eventual trial. The Army has indicated that the detailed charging documents will be accessible following Johnson's arraignment, as per a spokesperson from the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel.
The troubling nature of this case raises significant concerns about domestic violence and the protection of vulnerable individuals, particularly in cases involving pregnant women. The implications of the charges are severe, and the lack of a body adds a layer of complexity to the investigation, which continues to unfold.
As updates emerge, the focus will remain on the judicial process that Johnson will undergo, which could lead to serious ramifications given the nature of the accusations against him. The community, alongside military authorities, is awaiting developments in this tragic case.
