BENTON –A Probation and Parole Officer has resigned and is now being charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor following an investigation into alleged misconduct. According to police reports, Kentucky State Police was contacted in December by the Department of Corrections (DOC) regarding a Probation and Parole Officer and the administration of a field drug test to a parolee.
DOC requested KSP pursue a criminal investigation into the alleged misconduct. In February 2015, KSP Detective Sergeant Dean Patterson began investigating the incident involving Officer Robert “Bobby” Johnston with Probation and Parole, which occurred on December 2, 2014. During the investigation, it was discovered that Officer Johnston inaccurately reported the results of a field drug test on a parolee he was investigating in Marshall County.
On April 16, Detective Sergeant Patterson testified before a Marshall County Grand Jury regarding his investigation. The grand jury returned indictments for; Tampering with Physical Evidence (class D felony), Forgery 2nd Degree (class D felony) and Official Misconduct 1st Degree (class A misdemeanor). A criminal summons was served upon Johnston, 40 of Benton, on Monday, April 20, 2015 for the charges he was indicted on by the Marshall County Grand Jury.
KSP Detective Sergeant Patterson continues his investigation. The Kentucky State Police was assisted by the Kentucky Department of Correction’s Internal Affairs Branch.
Johnson resigned his employment with Probation and Parole during the course of the investigation.