Florida A&M University student Mike Johnson, 19, has been released from the Leon County Jail with bail.
Johnson was arrested Friday after it was revealed that the report about a robbery on Feb. 19 at approximately 5:10 a.m. at Gibbs Hall was invented. Johnson admitted to authorities that he made the robbery up and also placed the damages to his own dorm room to make it seem like a legitimate breaking and entering, stated a FAMU PD’s police report.
Johnson was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors of false police report and statement.
“We looked at the evidence and we never received any additional witnesses and that was strange,” said FAMU PD officer Angela Kirkland.
Johnson stated in the report that he was threatened by two gunmen and that later, three masked individuals vandalized his dorm room with markings stating “Mike + Football = Death.”
Kirkland said that FAMU PD investigated the crime immediately and that on Friday, Johnson confessed during an interview.
“These [false reports] are uncommon. We’ve received reports before about a false incident, but not like this,” Kirkland said.
Johnson’s intentions have not been discovered, but FAMU PD mentioned what he did was a serious crime.
“We have other calls to tend to. It’s a misdemeanor and he can get up to a year in prison,” Kirkland said.
University chief communication officer Sharon Saunders released a statement regarding the incident.
“Although the university is pleased that this student has come forward and provided an accurate depiction of what truly transpired, we are sadden by the confusion and level of discomfort it has brought to students and parents especially after the incident at the University of North Illinois,” said Sharon Saunders, FAMU’s Chief Communications Officer.
Saunders went on to further explain her concern over the incident but also made mention at the increase of security at FAMU.
“What Mr. Johnson alleged was very serious and I’m sure that now that the truth is out, students living on campus, and in that residence hall particularly, will now feel more at ease. With the recent approval by the FAMU Board of Trustees to hire four additional police officers, the administration has shown a high level of commitment to safety for its students and employees,” Saunders said.