by | Published
NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — Joseph Johnson III, 40, of Universal City, pled guilty to Continuous Violence Against the Family, Repeated Violations of Conditions of Bond, and Bail Jumping – Failure to Appear. Visiting Judge Dan Mills sentenced Johnson to 15 years in prison and entered an affirmative finding that the offenses involved family violence.
The charges stem from a January 26, 2023, incident when New Braunfels Police officers responded to a disturbance on East Mill Street. The victim told police that Johnson, her live-in boyfriend, had choked, kicked, and punched her in the head. Officers observed visible bruising on her left cheek.
When officers attempted to contact Johnson at the residence, he barricaded himself inside and refused to come out. After several hours of negotiations with the New Braunfels Police Department’s Crisis Negotiations Team, he surrendered. Police later learned Johnson had an active felony warrant from Kansas City, Missouri, involving a different victim.
Investigators discovered that Johnson had a history of assaulting the victim, who had moved to Texas from out of state. She reported frequent abuse, including black eyes and other injuries that forced her to miss work.
The case was set for trial in March 2025, but prosecutors learned that Johnson had moved back in with the victim and had assaulted her again in Missouri, leading her to file for a protective order. Johnson also allegedly called the victim and threatened to kill her.
Prosecutors notified the court of repeated bond violations, and a warrant was issued. Johnson failed to appear for his trial date and was later arrested in Missouri. He was extradited to Texas and pled guilty.
Due to prior convictions, including Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit a Felony Other Than Theft, Deadly Conduct, and Evading Arrest with a Vehicle, Johnson’s punishment range was enhanced to 2–20 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the New Braunfels Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Lauren Cole and Sarah Van Sciver.
