Pubdate: Thu, 26 Oct 2000
Source: Spokesman-Review (WA)
Copyright: 2000 Cowles Publishing Company
Contact:  P.O. Box 2160 Spokane, WA 99210
Fax:  (509) 459-5482
Website: http://www.spokesmanreview.com/
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Author: Associated Press

JUDGE QUESTIONS TIMING OF CHARGES AGAINST SON

Supporter Of Election Opponent Files Drug Case Against Youth

GREAT FALLS, Mont. _ District Judge Marge Johnson had suspected her son 
might be involved with drugs, but the cocaine-dealing charges filed against 
him Monday were devastating to her and her husband, she said.

Nevertheless, she is suspicious of the timing of the charges, coming just 
two weeks before the election in which she is seeking another term. In 
addition, they were filed by Cascade County Attorney Brant Light, who 
attacked her last week in a letter to the Great Falls Tribune and has 
endorsed her opponent, Julie Macek, his chief deputy.

Kirk Steven Johnson, 18, is charged with selling half a gram of cocaine to 
an informant in September 1999 for $50, and with accountability for the 
sale of an unspecified small amount to an undercover agent in February 
outside the Johnsons' Great Falls home.

He has been released on his own recognizance. The judge said she expects 
the case to end up in Youth Court, since he was younger than 18 when he 
allegedly committed the crimes.

"I view these as very serious charges," Judge Johnson said. "We will deal 
with them very responsibly."

She said she and her husband, attorney Steven Johnson, confronted their son 
months ago about possible drug use and even obtained a drug test, which was 
negative.

"The timeliness of this action -- I don't think the public needs me to 
explain what's happening," she said.

"I don't expect to be treated any differently," Johnson said. "But I don't 
expect (Kirk) to be treated unfairly. I don't expect him to be the subject 
of an abuse of power."

Light said the election played no role in his decision on when to file the 
charges. He said he would be questioned just as harshly if he had delayed 
the charges until after the election.

Light said cases involving undercover drug sales typically reach 
prosecutors several months after the alleged incident because agents try to 
work the case for more information and bigger drug dealers.
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