UPDATE: Third arrest made in connection to shooting death of Clinton officer, hindering prosecution
UPDATE 8/16: According to official court documents, Johnson was interviewed on Aug. 7 by law enforcement, where he denied having any contact with McCarthy after the shooting and also denied knowing that McCarthy owned a gun.
On Aug. 9, Johnson was interviewed by law enforcement again and changed his story, saying that he knew McCarthy had an AR 15 rifle. Police also received reports that Johnson allegedly drove McCarthy to the area where police arrested McCarthy.
ORIGINAL STORY: According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop A Twitter account, a third person has been arrested in connection to the shooting death of Clinton police officer Gary Michael, Jr.
Jacob Johnson was arrested for hindering prosecution of a felony.
Sergeant Bill Lowe tells ABC 17 News that they believe some of Johnson’s statements were misleading while investigators sought Ian McCarthy, the man accused of killing Michael.
Johnson, Lowe said, was one of the first people they spoke to. He did not know how Johnson and McCarthy knew each other, but said Johnson gave them misleading information on McCarthy’s whereabouts.
“We were able to determine that he knew Mr. McCarthy was wanted in connection to the killing of Officer Michael,” Lowe said. “He provided what we feel to believe is misleading information.”
Jail records show Johnson is being held in the Henry County Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond.
Henry County prosecutors also charged William Noble on August 10 with felony tampering with evidence. Noble is accused of trying to get rid of the weapon MCCarthy is suspected of using to kill Michael.
