Opinion ID: 77688
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Johnson's Convictions

Text: 18 On June 15, 2005, a federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment charging Johnson with (1) two counts of endeavoring to obstruct the administration of justice by knowingly giving false testimony before a grand jury on November 12, 2003 (Count One) and June 16, 2004 (Count Two), in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1503; and (2) two counts of knowingly making false material declarations before a grand jury on November 12, 2003 (Count Three) and June 16, 2004 (Count Four), in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1623. The primary basis for Counts One through Four was Johnson's testimony that he did not know about Balch's illegal fill activity prior to being contacted by McGraw on March 5, 2002. Johnson also was charged with one count of making a false statement to the United States (Count Five), in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001, for stating to agents of the USACE that he was unaware of Balch's illegal fill activity prior to being contacted by McGraw on March 5, 2002. 19 Johnson proceeded to trial. At the close of the government's case, Johnson moved for a judgment of acquittal, arguing that the government had not proven the requisite elements of intent and materiality. The district court denied Johnson's motion. At the close of Johnson's defense, the district court also denied Johnson's renewed motion for a judgment of acquittal. The jury found Johnson guilty on all charges.