Miami Gardens, Florida: Black Police Chief Stephen Johnson Arrested in Prostitution Sting, Immediately Fired

 


Miami Gardens Police Chief Stephen Johnson mug shot, February 27, 2015
 

Interim Chief Chief Antonio Brooklen 

Re-posted by Nicholas Stix

Thanks to A Texas Reader for this story.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Quick Facts, Miami Gardens has 111,378 residents, 76.3% of whom are black only, 22.0% of whom are Hispanic, and 2.6% of whom are non-Hispanic white only. (The total for all non-overlapping categories is 103.9%, so some categories are overcounted.)
 


 

Miami Gardens Police Chief Stephen Johnson Arrested for Soliciting Prostitute
By Steve Litz and Brian Hamacher
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Miami Gardens POlice [sic] Chief Stephen Johnson was arrested for soliciting a prostitute, officials said. He was immediately fired from his position. (Published Friday, Feb 27, 2015)
Updated at 2:57 AM EST on Saturday, Feb 28, 2015

Miami Gardens Police Chief Stephen Johnson was arrested for soliciting a prostitute in Dania Beach Friday, officials said.

Mayor Oliver Gilbert confirmed the arrest and said Johnson was fired immediately.

Jail records showed Johnson, 53, was being held on $300 bond. It was unknown if he has an attorney.

According to a Broward Sheriff's Office arrest report, deputies were conducting an undercover operation targeting solicitation of prostitution at a Dania Beach hotel when Johnson was arrested.

Authorities had placed an escort ad on backpage.com and two detectives were posing as prostitutes at the hotel, the affidavit said.

Johnson had called the number on the ad and arranged to pay $100 for 30 minutes with two prostitutes, the report said.

When Johnson arrived at the hotel room, he was let in and handed over the $100, the report said.

He had two condoms in his pocket when he was arrested, the report said.

A news release from the department said Assistant Chief Antonio Brooklen will serve as interim chief.

"We remain committed to excellence and integrity on every level," the department said in the release. "We will not allow Mr. Johnson's bad judgment to reflect negatively on the hardworking officers of the City of Miami Gardens and the residents they serve on a daily basis."

The department came under fire earlier this month following the officer-involved shooting of 25-year-old Lavall Hall.

Johnson said Hall attacked two officers with a broom handle and was shot twice with a Taser before he was fatally shot by an officer.

Hall's family has been critical of police in the wake of the shooting, holding a vigil and protest and demanding more answers in the shooting.

Johnson was named Miami Gardens' Police chief in May 2014 after a long career with the North Miami Police Department. He also served as North Miami's city manager from 2011 to 2014.

Published at 9:45 PM EST on Feb 27, 2015