Entitled Dealer Fires Lawyer in Court—Faces Years in Prison

And then I we had four discussions on >> Johnson. Miss Johnson is before the court with council. Mr. Boen, Miss Nicholson, on behalf of the state of Ohio. Um Miss Johnson, you've indicated to my bail that you have something that you want me to see. >> Um yes. I would like to request a new public defender if possible. >> Why? Um I just feel like we have a lack of communication and I just don't feel like it's fair on my behalf. This is just my feelings and I would like to know. >> Mr. Boen, do you wish to be heard? >> Judge, um, I did give her the discovery. I did discuss it with her on March 18th. And then I we had some more discussions on for one at court. They were brief, but it was relaying something from prosecutor. I told her I would get back to her. Obviously, at this point, she doesn't feel we're communicating well. And uh this point, if she wants a new lawyer, I'm not inclined to argue with that. Actually, judge, let me correct myself. I had a conversation with her on the 18th of March, emailed her the discovery that day, reviewed the discovery that day, and then talked to her again on the 20th. March This is a financial disclosure just signed that it's we're required to have our client side work >> she Take a month roughly. >> A month. >> Yeah. 800. Okay. >> How much do you pay me rent? >> All right. Uh grant the request. Mr. Bugman, you're excused. >> And I'll have discovery ready for my new C for new council. >> Would you hand her a new affidavit, please? >> Yes. Do you have a >> uh Jonathan Gibbs? >> How much do you pay for food? >> Utilities and transportation. Hang on. >> Hang on. >> Sorry. >> No, no, you're just >> I'll turn over everything to the new law. >> Thank you. >> Certainly welcome. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Boen. >> Thank you, Judge. >> All right, Mr. M. Johnson, you need to get in contact with Mr. Gibbs immediately. We're going to set this quickly for another pre-trial >> uh with me >> within the next two weeks. >> All righty. Thank you. >> A little longer than a few minutes later. >> Your honor, it's my understanding the defendant will be um entering a guilty plea to count one and amended count two amended down to a felony of the thirdderee aggravated trafficking of drugs. Um the state will be dismissing count three. the defendant will be pleading guilty to count four and there is an agreement that the defendant will serve a prison sentence. Uh there has been no agreement on the length of that sentence. We will make those arguments at sentencing. Um but the agreement is that the court shall impose a prison sentence. >> All right. Is that correct, Mr. Gibbs? >> Yes, your honor. >> All right, Miss Johnson, they're telling me you're going to change your plea to guilty to three counts, three charges. Before we get you change the plea, I'm required to go over some things with you. Okay. Indictment. Do you understand that? >> Yes, sir. Because you could try your case to the court. I too would have to be convinced of your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt or would be required to find you not guilty. Do you understand that? >> Yes. >> Do you believe you understand each of these rights we've discussed? >> Yes. >> Do you understand that when you enter plea of guilty, you'll be waving all these rights, we will not have a trial? >> Yes, sir. >> This is how you want to proceed? >> Yes. >> All right, Miss Nicholson. Your honor, if this case would have proceeded to trial, the state would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that on about July 28th, 2024, um the defendant transported Kalia Carney to Lebanon Correctional, I'm sorry, to Warren Correctional Institution, uh Turtle Creek Township, Warren County, Ohio, um to convey drugs to intended for the defendant, Kenneth Carney. In the days leading up to that conveyance, uh Miss Johnson was on recorded prison phone calls uh with Kenneth Carney, a codefendant, um setting up that conveyance, talking about there was a very specific method of this conveyance in a Flaming Hot Cheetos bag. All of that was discussed. Um, and Miss um, Johnson obtained those drugs, provided those to Kalia Carney when they arrived at Warren Correctional or as they were arriving for Kalia to convey into the institution and it was over the bulk amount of methamphetamine. >> Mr. Gibbs, anything on those facts? >> Uh, nothing further on the facts, your honor. >> M. Johnson, did you hear the statement that she read? >> Yeah, I can hear it. Yes, sir. Did you do you admit that what she said is true? >> What What part of what she said is not true? >> Um I didn't knowly give anybody anything to take into there. Um that wasn't the agreement. But >> so you were supposed you were supposed Where did the flaming hot Cheetos bag come from? Keep in mind that I have already presided over a jury trial in this case of Mr. Carney and I've listened to >> Yeah, he told me. Yeah. Yes, sir. So, yeah, she's Yeah, that's that's accurate. >> Flashback. >> There's nothing I can do about it. I can just apologize to the court. That's all. >> Uh because just absolutely shame on you for putting your daughter through this as your grandchild at home. What? Four months old, 5 months old. >> Please bring me 51 g of methamphetamine in a flaming hot Cheetos bag and wrapped in a condom. >> Right. They heard phone calls talking about chips. They found the chip bag in the trash. That's enough for them. Case closed. >> In Warren County, Ohio, Kenneth Carney was already serving time inside Warren Correctional Institution when investigators say he found a way to keep working from behind bars. On July 28th, 2024, 51 g of methamphetamine were discovered inside the women's restroom near the prison's front entry, hidden inside a Flaming Hot Cheetos bag. Carney never touched the drugs and never left his cell. But prosecutors argued he didn't have to, claiming he directed the operation from inside the prison and that his own daughter carried the drugs in for him. >> I mean I I mean I've seen the evidence in this case. So uh and again you understand all the rights you're giving up when you enter a plea of guilty. >> Yes, sir. >> What's your plea? >> Guilty. >> The court will make a finding then that you've made a knowing intelligent and voluntary waiver of your constitutional rights. The court will accept your plea of guilty and based upon the statement of fact you'll plead the court will make a finding of guilty. Uh, I will order pre-sense investigation. We'll come back in a few weeks and do sentencing at that time. If you're asking me to select a number, I need some more information about Miss Johnson. Okay. >> Yes, sir. Thank you. >> Miss Johnson, if you go back down to court services for me, where you checked in today and uh set up your pre-sentence investigation. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you.