People v. Johnson CA3

BACKGROUND

Defendant met with Michael Houchins2 and Lucas Simpson at a Red Bluff bar in August 2011. Defendant and Houchins had known each other while living in Red Bluff; Houchins had known Simpson for 18 years. Simpson told defendant and Houchins that he had been posing as a law enforcement officer to rob people of their drugs. He asked Houchins to help him find someone to rob in that manner. Houchins had an acquaintance named Michael High who grew medical marijuana and lived alone in a secluded residence in Shasta Lake City. While visiting High on August 28, 2011, Houchins saw about 30 pounds of marijuana on High’s living room

2 Houchins admitted prior felony convictions for domestic violence and criminal threats. He entered into a plea agreement in which he agreed to testify. He expected to receive probation for the crimes in this case even though he had a prior strike conviction.

2 floor. Houchins called Simpson the next day and suggested High as an easy target for a robbery. Houchins also told Chane Finch, who agreed to participate in a plan to take High’s marijuana. On August 29, 2011, Houchins met with Simpson and defendant and gave them money to buy zip ties. Later…