Staff Report

Jeremiah J. Johnson

ROCHESTER — A Winamac man was recently arrested after allegedly using a knife to injure a woman while preventing her from calling 911.

Jeremiah J. Johnson, 40, Winamac, is charged with criminal confinement while armed with a deadly weapon, a level 3 felony; and battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, strangulation, and residential entry, all level 6 felonies.

On Oct. 2, Rochester Police officers responded to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival at a residence, officers saw a man standing inside. When asked if he stabbed anyone, the man, later identified as Johnson, put his hands behind his back.

Officers then spoke with the woman who was injured by Johnson. According to court documents, the woman had cuts on her hands, wrists, and shins.

Johnson said he understood his rights and did not want to speak with police about the incident. He was then taken into custody.

The woman was taken to a local hospital’s emergency room for treatment. She told officers that Johnson broke into her home in August, violating a protective order she had against him. The woman said she called Johnson to retrieve his belongings that she placed on her residence’s porch.

During their fight, the woman said Johnson took her phone and prevented her from calling 911. She said Johnson appeared to have forced open the residence’s front door to gain entry into her home.

Johnson then allegedly became angry and began using a knife to slash at the woman. He also grabbed the woman by her throat and deprived her of oxygen long enough to make her lose consciousness.

The woman told officers the fight lasted for about 2 1/2 hours before Johnson finally left the area and she was able to call for help.

She later said Johnson hit her with a shelf and an air purifier. While she was on the phone with 911, Johnson rammed the woman’s vehicle into the side of her residence.

Officers were unable to find the knife used in the incident.

Johnson currently has three pending felony cases through Fulton County that have occurred this year, each involving the woman.

For this case, Johnson was booked in the Fulton County Jail on Oct. 2.