MITCHELL — A Saturday night gathering at a Mitchell residence ended in an arrest after police responded to reports of an intoxicated male shoving guests.
William Michael Johnson Jr., 30, of Mitchell, was arrested on January 31, 2026, and faces a preliminary charge of battery, a Class B Misdemeanor.
At approximately 10:39 p.m., Sergeant Garrett Jacobs of the Mitchell Police Department was dispatched to a home on East Hancock Avenue. Upon arrival, Sergeant Jacobs encountered Johnson outside the residence. According to the probable cause affidavit, the officer immediately detected a strong odor of alcohol on Johnson’s person.
While being detained, Johnson allegedly volunteered that he had not put his hands on anyone, despite not yet being questioned about physical contact. He informed officers that he was currently on probation and admitted to consuming vodka and six beers throughout the evening.
Johnson claimed that a female guest had become angry when her car got stuck in the snow and had “pushed on” him while he tried to help. Johnson, who had superficial cuts on his forehead, expressed a desire to press charges against her.
However, interviews with witnesses on the scene provided a different narrative. The female victim reported that Johnson became “nasty” and called her names before grabbing her jacket and pushing her.
Two other female witnesses corroborated the victim’s account, stating that Johnson was the aggressor and that the victim did not retaliate or push him.
When asked about the cuts on Johnson’s forehead, the female victim stated they were the result of Johnson playing with his dog earlier in the evening.
After the victim signed a battery affidavit, Johnson was informed he was under arrest. Although he initially refused a breath test, he eventually submitted to a preliminary breath test, which yielded a .161 breath alcohol content, twice the legal limit for operating a vehicle.
During transport to the Lawrence County Jail, Johnson reportedly made a spontaneous statement to Sergeant Jacobs, saying, “I put myself in the position [I am in],” and adding there was “nothing I can do about it.”
Johnson was remanded to the Lawrence County Jail without further incident. Because he informed officers he is currently on probation, this arrest may trigger additional legal proceedings regarding his probation status.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
