The perp suspected of mugging a 9-year-old Bronx boy returning home after buying his mom a bar of soap was thrown back in jail yesterday on a $10,000 bond.
A spindly Michael Johnson, 54, slithered into Bronx Criminal Court wearing black framed glasses faces third degree robbery charges for the heartless Aug. 8 attack on little Jacky Saunders in the lobby of the boy’s East 183rd Street building.
“He pushed a 9 year old boy against the wall in the lobby of his apartment building and took $19,” said Assistant DA Gabrielle Martin, who asked for a $50,000.
Johnson then rifled through the boy’s pants pockets for the $19.
Johnson, who has earned 13 misdemeanor convictions and 2012 bench warrant, was arrested after Jacky identified him in a police line-up, Martin said.
His lawyer, Bunmi Adeseun, said Johnson was “shocked” by the accusations and charged that the traumatized 9 year old victim “misidentified” her client. She said the 13 convictions were all non violent drug related cases.
“At 54 years old he didn’t just decide to start robbing 9 year olds,” Adeseun said. “This is a case of misidentification.”
“He wants to fight this case – he will fight this case.”
Johnson also faces larceny, endangering the welfare of a child, menacing and criminal possession of stolen property charges. He faces a maximum of seven years behind bars if convicted
Johnson is expected back in court Aug. 17.