Fabian Johnson, 38, faces charges in connection to his alleged role in abduction the seven-year-old boy, who was found safe one day later.
A second adult faces kidnapping charges in the July 11 abduction of seven-year-old Jamal White.
Jamal, known as Baby J, was abducted at gunpoint from outside his father’s house. He was recovered the following day, less than 24 hours after Milwaukee Police Department designated him as “critically missing” and an Amber alert was issued. Corey Williams, 25, was arrested on July 13 from the house where Jamal was found, and criminal charges were filed against him the next day.
On July 15, Fabian Johnson, 38, was arrested in connection with the abduction. Johnson was charged Sunday with being a party to the crime of kidnapping by forcibly seizing or confining another individual.
According to a Milwaukee Police Department detective’s interview with Williams quoted in criminal complaints filed against Johnson and Williams, the two men and an unnamed 14-year-old companion planned to rob Jamal’s mother at gunpoint at her home. Williams said that both Johnson and the 14-year-old wore masks and brought guns, and that the three drove in a borrowed white Jeep.
When they arrived at Jamal’s mother’s home and did not see her, the 14-year-old suggested that they try to rob Jamal’s father at his home instead. When they arrived, they saw Jamal riding his bike outside the home. Williams noted in the interview that Jamal’s father was also outside at that time.
According to the complaint, Johnson and the 14-year-old left the Jeep carrying hand guns and ran at Jamal’s father, who ran into the house. The 14-year-old then grabbed Jamal and took him into the Jeep. The group then drove to Williams’ residence.
Later that night, Williams recalled, Johnson called Jamal’s mother and demanded $100,000 and jewelry in exchange for Jamal, offering to meet at a nearby park. According to Williams, Jamal’s mother did not show up to the meeting. Once the men became aware of the Amber alert issued for Jamal, Johnson and the 14-year-old left the child with Williams at Williams’ house.
According to the complaint, Williams told the detective that there were conversations about whether Johnson or the 14-year-old should harm Jamal, but they ultimately decided not to.
The charge against Johnson, a class C felony, is less severe than the charges that Williams faces. Williams was charged with being party to the crime of kidnapping, a class B felony, as well as being party to the crime of taking hostages.
Williams was also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a child because of the 14-year-old’s role in the kidnapping. The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office wrote to the Journal Sentinel that the 14-year-old’s case has been referred to children’s court.
According to online court records, Johnson was convicted on drug charges and possessing a firearm as a formerly convicted felon in four cases filed between 2006 and 2013.
