James Johnson Admits To Knife Attacks

A Gillette man has admitted that he attacked a Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper and another motorist with a knife.

James Johnson has pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault and battery, by way of threatening with a drawn deadly weapon, and one count of possession of a controlled substance.

According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, in middle-May, a trooper approached Johnson on I-25 South, about 20 miles north of Casper, because Johnson was having vehicle problems.

The trooper learned that there was an arrest warrant out of Gillette for Johnson, for driving under suspension.

When informed, Johnson dove into his vehicle to retrieve a knife, then came back out and lunged at the trooper with the weapon.

Johnson tried to flee the area on foot, managed to stop another motorist, and tried to jerk the door open in an effort to get a ride.

The motorist tried to hold Johnson for the trooper, but Johnson was able to break free, and swung at the motorist with the knife, but missed.

The motorist then tried to drive away, but Johnson held on to the vehicle, until the driver stopped a short distance later, and Johnson was taken into custody.

Twenty-two and one-half grams of methamphetamine was later found in the trunk of Johnson's vehicle.

As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dropped two other charges connected to this case, and will argue that the sentences on the aggravated assault charges (10 years maximum), should run consecutive to one another.

Johnson's defense can argue for whatever punishment they feel is appropriate.

He is being held on $50,000 bond, and will be sentenced at a later date.

Johnson has admitted to violating his probation, that was given to him in an unrelated burglary conspiracy case.