Repeat offender will serve all 15 years this time

Earlier today, Historic City News received word from State Attorney R. J. Larizza’s office that Circuit Judge Wendy Berger sentenced 40-year-old Alfonso Levertes Johnson, III, to 15 (fifteen) years in prison.

“This defendant was identified as a Prison Releasee Reoffender when the State Attorney’s Office filed formal charges against him,” Larizza said. “As a result of the identification and conviction at trial, he will serve 15 years, day-for-day, and cannot receive time off for good behavior.”

Last month, a jury found the St. Augustine man guilty as charged of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, causing Bodily Harm; a Second Degree Felony. The charges stem from a March 15, 2011, incident when the victim tried to break off a relationship with Johnson.

In her statement, she told Johnson “this relationship is toxic and over.” The victim said that Johnson punched her twice on the side of her head and ear while they argued at her home. According to the arrest report, the defendant began throwing shoes at her and one shoe struck her in the face.

The fight woke up her 8-year-old son. The victim grabbed a knife from her bedroom to defend herself but she did not use it.

The victim told him to leave and that the relationship was over. Johnson said he didn’t care if her son was there as he poked her in the knee with a knife he retrieved from the kitchen. Johnson cut her on her left hand.

She convinced Johnson to take her to the hospital and told him that, if he did, she would not report the crime and would tell people that she cut herself. Once at the hospital, Johnson left on foot and the victim was able to tell the authorities what happened.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office arrested Johnson at his home.

“This case is an example of the proactive identification and successful prosecution of a dangerous, violent repeat offender,” Larizza told reporters.

The case was tried by Assistant State Attorneys Chris Ferebee and Josh Alexander before Judge Wendy Berger.