Man who caused short standoff sent to prison

NEWARK — A man who caused a short standoff with Utica police earlier this year was sentenced to prison Tuesday.

Johnny L. Humphrey Jr., 34, last known address 280 Buena Vista Ave., Utica, entered guilty pleas to one count each of abduction, domestic violence and aggravated possession of drugs, and two counts of aggravated menacing before Judge Thomas Marcelain.

Assistant Licking County Prosecutor Chris Reamer said Humphrey followed his girlfriend to another home in Utica on June 5. His girlfriend had fled after fearing Humphrey would hurt her. Humphrey eventually left, but returned with a Taser and again demanded the woman return home with him and threatened her, Reamer said.

The following day, Utica police were called to Humphrey's Buena Vista Avenue home after the woman was seen running from the home, crying and covered in bruises, Reamer said.

When an officer arrived, Humphrey said he would not be arrested, had firearms and would use them. After Humphrey barricaded himself in the home, Utica police called the Licking County SWAT team, which searched the residence and did not find Humphrey.

Several days later, police returned to the Buena Vista Avenue home, Reamer said. Humphrey was located behind insulation in a crawlspace. He had a methamphetamine pipe in his possession.

Humphrey's attorney, John Obora, said that while Humphrey had a considerable criminal history, he also had a significant drug problem.

"He's not the person depicted on the occasion that gave rise to these offenses," Obora said. "It's a real Jekyll and Hyde."

Reamer requested a sentence near the maximum of seven years.

Marcelain told Humphrey he had "one of the longest criminal histories" he had ever seen.

"You've terrorized this neighborhood and town and caused a lot of stress and anxiety there," Marcelain said.

Humphrey was ordered to serve a 66-month, or  5 1/2 year, prison term. He was also ordered to pay all court costs and fees and Marcelain suspended his driver's license for one year.

As part of a plea deal, a charge of kidnapping was amended to abduction and a charge of intimidation was dismissed.