Child rapist gets 22 years

Oct. 12– Michael D. Johnson will be 71–if he lives that long–when he completes a sentence of 22 years in prison for raping a 9-year-old local boy last December.

Hardin County Circuit Court Judge Creed McGinley ordered that Johnson serve 100 percent of the time behind bars, and handed down a concurrent 10-year sentence on a charge of aggravated sexual battery involving the same victim.

He also ruled this afternoon against public defender Richard DeBerry’s motion for a new trial, saying the evidence against the defendant was "overwhelming."

The boy was an "extremely, extremely credible witness," the judge said.

The balding Johnson, in jailhouse orange, said nothing and showed no emotion during the hearing. He peered across the courtroom at those seated in the gallery as he was led away, scratching his chin.

(For more on this story, including an interview with the victim’s parents, read the upcoming print edition, available first at The Courier on Wednesday evening.)