By Earyel Bowleg
Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Chief Superintendent of Police Michael Johnson, attorney Bjorn Ferguson, and Police Sergeant 3726 Deangelo Rolle pleaded not guilty in the Supreme Court on Friday to charges related to a bribery.
Johnson denied stealing $90,000, allegedly taken from the $1.475m stolen during an airport bank security heist.
He appeared before Justice Gregory Hilton on Friday alongside Ferguson and Rolle.
Johnson pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery, stealing, and receiving. Prosecutors allege he conspired with others between November 3 and November 30, 2023, to solicit an advantage from Michael Fox Jr as a reward for performing or refraining from his duties as a public servant.
He is also accused of stealing $90,000 from Akeil Holmes and receiving the money from Rolle on November 3, 2023, knowing it had been obtained through theft.
Ferguson pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. Prosecutors allege he conspired, without lawful authority or reason, to offer an advantage to a public servant as an inducement or reward for performing or abstaining from his duty.
Ferguson and Johnson also denied being accessories after the fact to conspiracy to commit stealing. They are accused of assisting Fox between November 3 and November 30, knowing he was involved in the conspiracy to commit theft, with the intent of helping him evade due process.
Meanwhile, Rolle pleaded not guilty to abetment to stealing. Prosecutors allege he aided and abetted Johnson in committing the offence.
The men are scheduled to return to court on February 17 for the transfer of a Voluntary Bill of Indictment to Justice Dale Fitzpatrick.
