Defendant attempts to flee courtroom after drug case bond revoked

While the temperature took a pleasant turn downwards on Friday, June 21, things heated up inside the Warren County Courthouse the afternoon of the Summer Solstice when a defendant appearing on a bond appeal hearing brought by the commonwealth did not take his bond revocation well.

During the afternoon docket around 2:30 p.m. 34-year-old Ray Martin Johnson decided to bolt from Circuit Courtroom “B” after the commonwealth’s motion to have his bond revoked on two drug charges was upheld by Judge Clifford L. Athey Jr.

As he exited the courtroom, Johnson met a Virginia State Trooper headed into court in the small ante-room area between the smaller circuit courtroom and outer door to the second floor hallway. That unexpected encounter initiated a scuffle reportedly resulting in someone’s head’s contact with a wall. Johnson’s attempt to leave the courthouse was quickly aborted by the trooper and a combination of Warren County Sheriff’s Office bailiffs and law enforcement personnel in the courtroom for other cases.

Ray Martin Johnson – Mug Shot RSW Regional Jail website

Johnson’s ill-advised exit attempt resulted in additional charges of “Escape-not convicted escape from custody by force or violence” and “Simple Assault-law enforcement officer, judge or fire & rescue personnel” being added to his previous charges. According to Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Samantha Meadows, who noted she had left the courtroom before Johnson’s flight attempt, the bond revocation involved two felony distribution charges, one for Schedule 1 and 2 drugs, the other for Schedule 4.

According to RSW Regional Jail inmate records, Johnson’s previous criminal record includes “Vandalism-intentional damage of property”, “Traffic-driving on a revoked license, third or subsequent offense” and “Contempt of Court-Failure to Appear”, as well as the two “Narcotics” charges, “Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine” and “Distribution, sell a Schedule 4 drug”.

Johnson is scheduled back in court at 9 a.m., tomorrow morning, Tuesday, June 25.

Why do I have this feeling it’s going to be a long, hot summer both inside and outside of the Warren County Courthouse?