CRESTVIEW — Gary Johnson says he has more problems than fighting a felony charge of dealing in stolen property. His declining health keeps him in pain, and prevents him from putting food on the table, he said.
Now, the Brotherhood of Love founder, who's worked so hard to secure food for the poor during Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts, is himself in need.
Johnson, 61, is accused of signing a stolen vehicle's title and bill of sale as a witness, according to an Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office arrest report.
Christopher Broxson, 50, took his mother's vehicle and its title from her Dad's Road residence in Milligan on Aug. 17, 2015, and he and Walter Moore, 55, discussed the vehicle and its origin in Johnson's presence, according to an OCSO arrest report.
The OCSO's Drug Task Force recovered the vehicle at the home of Johnson, who admitted to knowing it was stolen, according to the report.
Broxson was arrested Oct. 5, 2015 and charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle; fraud using a false instrument; exploitation of the elderly, less than $20,000; and dealing in stolen property. Moore was arrested on Oct. 13, 2015 and charged with dealing in stolen property. Deputies served Johnson's arrest warrant on Jan. 11.
But there's more to the story, Johnson has said, adding that a misunderstanding led to the charge, and maintaining his innocence.
Now, a spinal cord contusion and a herniated disc in his neck, for pain that's sent him to the hospital more than once, could sideline him for six or more months.
Before his arrest, "The doctor told my wife if I didn't get the surgery then, somebody could bump against me and I could end up paralyzed," Johnson said.
He received 200 staples in his back, and he said he turned himself into the OCSO in that condition when he learned that deputies had a warrant for his arrest.
On Feb. 19, after he was released from custody on a signature bond, he said, he slipped in the bathroom and received emergency surgery.
He currently sleeps in a recliner due to the pain, wears a neck brace, and he said, his wife must help him dress. "We're in a financial bind right now… I'm just shut down all around," he said.
Johnson said when he was walking and in better shape, he would cook on certain days in exchange for food or money, detail cars and handle other odd jobs to keep his household fed.
"Food wasn't a problem," he said.
Now, "We're scraping the barrel over here," he said. "We're about at the bottom of it."
Further, his morale is low due to city-wide gossip since he was arrested, he said, choking up.
"Everywhere I go, people are pointing and saying things," Johnson said, crying. "I feel like the walls are closing in on me."
He said he could use help with legal defense that really wants to prove his innocence, and would appreciate the community's help with food.
Call Johnson, 229-379-1741, if you would like to help.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview nonprofit founder: 'The walls are closing in on me'