What 333-count indictment says about Topekan accused of falsifying court records

Jason Alatidd, Topeka Capital-Journal

An indictment filed by the Shawnee County District Attorney's Office shows that cases in 10 additional counties may have been affected by a former civilian sheriff's office employee accused of falsifying records.

Andrew G. Johnson Jr., 52, of Topeka, was indicted by a grand jury on 333 criminal charges tied to allegations of falsifying records related to the service of court documents.

He was booked into the Shawnee County jail about 3 p.m. Wednesday before being released on a $5,000 bond. Court records on Wednesday didn't list a defense attorney for Johnson.

Here is what to know about the 118-page indictment filed in Shawnee County District Court. The indictment was filed Sept. 5 by the Shawnee County District Attorney's Office but not unsealed until Wednesday.

Andrew Johnson, right, 52, of Topeka, was booked at 3 p.m. Wednesday into the Shawnee County Jail on 333 counts of perjury and making false information.
Andrew Johnson, right, 52, of Topeka, was booked at 3 p.m. Wednesday into the Shawnee County Jail on 333 counts of perjury and making false information.

How many charges are there?

The indictment lists 333 criminal counts, 330 of which are felonies. The charges are as follows:

  • One felony count of perjury; testify to material fact in proceeding.

  • 328 felony counts of making false information.

  • One felony count of official misconduct; destroy/tamper/conceal felony evidence.

  • One misdemeanor count of official misconduct; vehicle use by employee for personal gain.

  • One misdemeanor count of official misconduct; fail to serve civil service process.

  • One misdemeanor count of theft of property or services; value less than $1,500.

When did the alleged crimes happen?

The sheriff's office said it became aware of the situation in June, placed Johnson on administrative leave before terminating his employment on July 2. Johnson had been a civil process server with the agency for about six months.

The district court said the timeframe involved was Dec. 18, 2023, through June 10, 2024.

The offense dates listed in the indictment range from Feb. 23 through June 10.

More: Grand jury indicts ex-Shawnee County sheriff's process server on 333 felony counts

What do the charges allege?

The charges of making false information allege that Johnson did "unlawfully and feloniously make, generate, distribute or draw, or cause to be made, generated, distributed or drawn, any written instrument, electronic data or entry in a book of account."

Each of those charges identifies specific court cases where Johnson allegedly entered that process was served "with knowledge that such information falsely states or represents some material matter or is not what it purports to be, and with intent to defraud, obstruct the detection of a theft or felony offense or induce official action." The charges identify by name individuals and businesses whom he was supposed to serve.

The felony official misconduct charge alleges that Johnson did "unlawfully and knowingly destroy, tamper with, or conceal evidence of a felony crime" while a public officer or employee. One misdemeanor official misconduct charge alleges he unlawfully used a vehicle for private benefit. The other misdemeanor charge alleges he did "unlawfully and knowingly fail to serve civil process when required by law."

The theft charge alleges he deprived the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office of property.

What court cases are affected?

Shawnee County District Court has released a list of court cases that may be affected. Case numbers are available online here. The court said Johnson may have falsified about 643 documents.

Court administrator Lea Dawn Welch said the court reviewed cases identified by the law enforcement investigation and will send notices to parties who may have been affected.

The list includes limited action cases, civil cases, state tax warrant cases, juvenile cases, criminal cases, domestic cases, juvenile child in need of care cases, traffic cases, small claims cases, miscellaneous civil cases and a miscellaneous criminal case.

Cases in other Kansas counties affected by investigation

While the vast majority of affected cases are from Shawnee County, the indictment identifies a handful of cases from other counties. Those counties are as follows:

  • Brown.

  • Geary.

  • Jackson.

  • Johnson.

  • Leavenworth.

  • Lyon.

  • McPherson.

  • Pottawatomie.

  • Sedgwick.

  • Stevens.

Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: What 333-count indictment says about Andrew Johnson, of Topeka

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