Johnson
With one confessed killer already behind bars and awaiting sentencing for the April 2014 abduction and slaying of a man in Crescentville, authorities have arrested three more suspects this month and are seeking a fifth alleged accomplice.
Philadelphia police did not disclose what led them to arrest Nysare Oneil Alston, 27, on March 1; Brandon McKelvey, 27, on March 2; and Christopher Corley, 29, on March 3, for the April 17, 2014, murder of Carl Johnson as well as the non-fatal shooting of another man whose identity has not been released publicly. Those arrests occurred almost 18 months after authorities charged Ken Thomas in connection with the case.
Court records show that Thomas, 25, of the 3100 block of W. Dauphin St., pleaded guilty on Jan. 11 to third-degree murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, robbery, kidnapping and illegal firearm possession. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 12.
Deforest Johnson, 29, is wanted in connection with the case. Johnson, who was not related to Carl Johnson, is black, 6 feet 5 inches tall, 390 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes, light facial hair and a tattoo of “Jay” on his right upper arm. Call 215–686-TIPS or text to PPD TIP to report information about him.
Authorities say that a kidnapping for ransom led to the slaying. Police went to the 5600 block of Newtown Ave., a heavily wooded one-lane street near Adams Avenue, at about 5:45 p.m. on April 17, 2014, after someone reported shooting. The officers found Carl Johnson, 29, and another man, 26, lying near railroad tracks. They had been bound with duct tape and shot multiple times.
Carl Johnson had wounds of the head, chest and leg. He died at the scene. The other victim had wounds of the back, arm and leg, but lived to tell the tale. He claimed that the victims were abducted in Germantown, driven to Newtown Avenue in a van, shot and dumped there.
Police say that Alston is from the 100 block of W. Queen Lane, McKelvey is from the 2400 block of N. 32nd St. and Corley is from the 3800 block of Wallace St. All were charged with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, robbery and related offenses. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 23. ••
