| On December 7, 2015, police in Galveston, Texas arrested 32-year-old Robert Johnson III after they seized a substance from him that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
On December 10, 2015, Johnson pled guilty in Galveston County Criminal District Court to possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to two years in prison.
In February 2016, laboratory tests were performed on the substance seized from Johnson. The tests were negative for the presence of any illegal substance.
Johnson was released on parole on June 15, 2016.
Subsequently, the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office was informed of the negative laboratory test finding and notified Johnson’s defense attorney.
In December 2016, Johnson’s attorney filed a state law petition for a writ of habeas corpus seeking to vacate his conviction. The prosecution supported the petition and the trial court judge recommended that the writ be granted.
In April 2017, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted the writ and vacated Johnson’s conviction. On May 18, 2017, the prosecution dismissed the charge.
– Maurice Possley
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