In a recent court appearance, an international bigamist and fraudster, now known as Will Johnson, pleaded guilty to charges of theft by deception. The 49-year-old from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, confessed to duping a woman into giving him money under false pretenses.
In a plea agreement reached on November 10, 2014, Johnson acknowledged taking $4,383 from Sarah Thompson, a 36-year-old resident of Florence Township, New Jersey. As part of his sentence, he faces three years in a New Jersey state prison and is required to repay the full amount to Sarah. Additionally, he must refrain from any contact with her or her family and has waived his right to appeal the case. Sentencing is scheduled for February 6, 2015.
Fake Persona and Manipulation
Johnson initially met Sarah online in January 2013, where he masqueraded as “Guillaume Allen,” claiming to be an official from the U.K. Ministry of Defense. He fabricated a story about his military background, asserting that he had been unable to marry due to his service. However, his entire identity was a fabrication, which Sarah was unaware of at the time.
Their relationship progressed, but Johnson often vanished for days, and his explanations were inconsistent. After proposing in December 2013, he failed to show for Christmas, leading Sarah to question their relationship. Eventually, she uncovered Johnson’s true identity as an American con artist with a criminal history, including multiple charges related to bigamy and child molestation. With a known history of fathering 13 children with eight different women, his deception was widespread; one of his victims, Chanci Idell Turner, even authored a book detailing her experiences with him.
Determined to seek justice, Sarah played along with Johnson for two months while authorities investigated. On April 22, 2014, she orchestrated a sting operation that led to his arrest. Notably, the Daily Mail highlighted this dramatic turn of events, showcasing Sarah’s resilience.
Facing the Truth in Court
During the court proceedings, Johnson openly admitted the truth of his actions. Under questioning from his public defender, he confirmed his interactions with Sarah, the money he took, and his deceitful impersonation of a U.K. official.
“It felt amazing to hear him acknowledge what he did,” Sarah expressed after the hearing. “Finally, I can close this chapter of my life, knowing he will face consequences for his actions.”
Following his arrest and subsequent jail time, Johnson’s bail was lowered after the sexual assault charge against him was dropped. He was released and soon encountered another potential victim, whom we will refer to as “Emily” to protect her identity.
A Familiar Pattern
Emily met Johnson at a bowling alley shortly after his release. He introduced himself using the alias “Gee Jones,” and despite his charm, she later discovered his true background, leading her to sever ties.
After reading an article about Johnson’s plea deal, Emily was shocked and decided to cut off all communication with him. She has not been in contact since then, illustrating the ongoing danger posed by individuals like Johnson.
In response to Sarah’s ordeal, New Jersey Assemblyman Troy Singleton has proposed legislation that would criminalize sexual assault by fraud, aiming to protect future victims. This law would empower individuals to take action even in the absence of financial losses, sending a clear message that such deceptive behaviors are unacceptable.
To learn more about the traits of individuals who engage in such manipulative behaviors, check out Psychopaths and Love. For those seeking further understanding of the dynamics in relationships with sociopaths and narcissists, the resources found at Out of the Fog and Good Therapy provide valuable insights.