A man convicted of felony assault with a deadly weapon after pulling a knife on a state trooper assigned to protect former President Donald Trump’s motorcade during a visit to North Carolina will not serve prison time.
Leif Johnson, 55, was found guilty last Thursday on multiple felony charges. The incident occurred in October of the previous year when Trump visited western North Carolina to survey hurricane damage. During the visit, Johnson reportedly shouted at an elderly veteran in a wheelchair and spat on a 12-year-old child who attempted to intervene. When law enforcement intervened, Johnson pulled out a 4-inch knife on a state trooper before being subdued and disarmed by officers.
Superior Court Judge Jacqueline D. Grant presided over the case. According to WLOS, “Superior Court Judge Jacqueline D. Grant sentenced Johnson to two consecutive suspended sentences of 30 to 48 months imprisonment.” The report continued: “Instead of serving time, however, Johnson will serve 36 months of supervised probation and a 15-day jail term at the discretion of his probation officer, the release confirmed. He also must complete an anger management course and is prohibited from contacting any of the victims.”
Johnson’s sentence includes three years of supervised probation and possible short-term jail time as determined by his probation officer. He is also required to attend anger management classes and avoid contact with those involved in the incident.
