Former Sheriff’s deputy charged with official misconduct and reckless driving

SOUTH BEND — The Attorney General’s Office has filed charges against a former Pacific County Sheriff’s deputy accused of misconduct on the job.

Vance Owen Johnson is charged with official misconduct and reckless driving in Pacific County North District Court. Both charges are gross misdemeanors, which carry possible maximum penalties of 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.

The Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting the case at the request of the Pacific County Prosecutor’s Office. The lead prosecutor is Assistant Attorney General Bill Sherman.

Johnson is accused of driving recklessly on March 28, 2014, while off duty. After an egg struck his personal vehicle, Johnson allegedly followed a car from which he believed the egg had been thrown.

Three weeks later, while on duty and in uniform, Johnson is accused of following one of the participants in the earlier incident to his home and confronting him and his parents. Johnson allegedly demanded payment for the damage to his car and threatened to file criminal charges if they did not comply. In addition, Johnson is accused of having made the same threat to the parents of other occupants of the vehicle.

Johnson no longer works for the Sheriff’s office.