A junior enlisted Army soldier stationed in Hawaii has been charged with murdering his pregnant wife, months after her disappearance. Pfc. Dewayne Arthur Johnson II, 28, of Frederick, Maryland, was charged on Wednesday as the investigation into the case continues. His wife, Mischa Johnson, was six months pregnant when she went missing from their home at Schofield Barracks on July 31.
Michelle McCaskill, a spokesperson for the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, stated that the charges against Johnson include the murder of Mischa Johnson, intentionally killing her unborn child, obstruction of justice, and possession of child pornography. Johnson also faces four additional charges and five specifications under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), including violations of Articles 118, 119a, 131b, and 134. Previously, in August, he was charged with 14 counts related to providing false official statements, obstruction of justice, and the production and distribution of child pornography.
Currently, Johnson is in pretrial confinement as he awaits a preliminary hearing required for the charges under Article 32 of the UCMJ. If the charges are confirmed after this hearing, he could face an arraignment and trial. McCaskill emphasized that Johnson is presumed innocent until proven guilty and that the investigation is ongoing.
Johnson has been in confinement since August 19. Initially, he faced charges but was not accused of murder at that time. He serves as a cavalry scout with the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks and was married to 19-year-old Mischa Johnson.
The Army Criminal Investigation Division had previously offered a $10,000 reward for information about Mischa’s disappearance. She is described as being 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds, six months pregnant, and of Filipino descent.
Details regarding the new charges have not been disclosed further. Family members have expressed their grief publicly. Mischa’s sister, Marianna Tapiz, shared on social media that Mischa was looking forward to being a housewife and living her dream.
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