Man gets 5 years for pointing gun at cops

SANDUSKY — A man who allegedly pointed a loaded gun at Sandusky police officers was sentenced to prison. Joshua Johnson, 31, was sentenced this week to five years in prison stemming from an incident June 2020, according to Erie County Court of Common Pleas records. Johnson was accused of raising a loaded Smith & Wesson at Sandusky police when they attempted to arrest him. Officers were called to Johnson's home, in the 600 block of Taylor St., on June 19, 2020, for a reported domestic violence incident. Johnson allegedly struck his girlfriend in the head several times and struck his brother in the face and nose, according to court documents. When the officers approached Johnson, he reportedly told them to leave, threatened to shoot them then pointed the laser of his pistol at two police officers. Eventually Johnson dropped the gun and was taken into custody. His children were purportedly inside the house during the tense stand-off. Johnson was originally indicted on two counts of felonious assault, two counts of domestic violence, two counts of endangering children and one count of intimidation. In the deal, Johnson pleaded guilty to two reduced charges of second-degree felony attempted felonious assault, and the remaining charges were dismissed. Johnson was given a five-year prison sentence, according to court and jail records, and was booked into Erie County Jail yesterday ahead of his transport to a state prison.