Ex-LHCPD Chief Faces Courtroom Showdown This Tuesday

Lake Havasu City Police Chief Troy Stirling is poised for an important meeting with attorneys regarding the case of John Hickey Johnson, a former detective facing serious charges related to the department’s evidence room and funds allocated for undercover operations.

On Friday, Yavapai County prosecutor Nathan Best and defense attorney Jaimye Ashley briefed Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen during a status conference about their plans. They will convene in Kingman Tuesday to evaluate a significant volume of evidence, infusing new momentum into a prolonged legal saga.

Johnson, 54, has been under indictment since April 2016 on 48 felony counts, including forgery, fraud, and theft. The former detective, who served the LHCPD for 16 years, resigned before moving to Charleston, Massachusetts. He is accused of pilfering illegal narcotics from the evidence room and misappropriating nearly $5,000 in undercover funds.

The case was transferred to Yavapai County by Mohave County attorney Matt Smith, who cited conflicts arising from his office’s prior involvement with Johnson and the LHCPD.

Best informed Judge Jantzen that Chief Stirling will act as the “case agent” and will be on hand when he and Ashley review three banker boxes crammed with evidence. Ashley noted that the evidence includes over 4,000 pages of discovery and numerous recorded interviews.

“He’s coming with massive amounts of boxes of stuff,” Ashley remarked regarding Best’s preparations. “We’re going to go through it.”

Judge Jantzen expressed support for revitalizing the case. “I’m happy to hear of this new approach,” he stated, hoping for progress moving forward.

During the Tuesday gathering, printers and flash drives will be used to digitize and archive materials, facilitating timely disclosure. Best and Ashley anticipate that this collaborative effort will provide a clearer path, whether that leads to a plea deal or proceeding to trial.

The court has scheduled a follow-up hearing for January 24, 2025, for attorneys to present a status report.