Police say a man held his wife captive for five years inside the $1 million Texas home they shared with their children. 46-year old James Earl Johnson was arrested on March 6 but has since bonded out of jail with an order to stay away from the victim and the c—
Police say a man held his wife captive for five years inside the $1 million Texas home they shared with their children.
46-year old James Earl Johnson was arrested on March 6 but has since bonded out of jail with an order to stay away from the victim and the couple’s home in Houston.
Police say the victim, a 46-year-old disabled woman, was held in a bedroom under lock and key with no phone access.
Court documents say that when Johnson finally left a phone on the nightstand that the victim used it to call 911.
But police say Johnson cut the call short, allegedly slapping his wife and carrying her back to bed before hanging up on the 911 dispatcher.
The victim’s adult son said his mother was in the hospital on March 9, but didn’t elaborate on her condition or the nature of her disability.
The victim appears to have made at least one previous attempt.
Police confirm she called them Nov. 16. But when officers arrived at the house, they say she told them she and her children were told to stay quiet and not say anything to police.
Officers left without filing a report.
Court records also alleged Johnson starved the woman, leaving her with minimal sustenance. Investigators said Johnson “would leave 1 egg” for his wife and “feed her some dinner.”
Johnson was released from the Harris County Jail after posting $50,000 bond. Conditions of his bond include no contact with his wife, not possessing a firearm, and wearing a GPS monitor.
Johnson is currently scheduled to make his next court appearance on March 18, records show.
