“We only have one detention officer who is trying to keep up with over 300 people on electronic leg monitors,” Sheriff Skinner said.
PLANO, Texas — The search for a man wanted on serious sexual assault charges has revealed a contested back and forth between the Sheriff and the county spanning several years.
Robert Johnson was arrested on July 17, 2024, and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. He later posted a $200,000 bond with conditions, which apparently included wearing an electronic leg monitor. Sheriff Jim Skinner of Collin County tells WFAA Johnson cut off his ankle monitor soon after he posted bond. Skinner tells WFAA that the ankle monitor does not have GPS capabilities, but operates using geofencing.
“Our ghost teams have been actively looking for this individual since August. [This week] we’ve already generated some new leads,” said Skinner.
The situation raises several questions, including how Johnson managed to evade capture. Sheriff Skinner explained that the county’s monitoring system has placed him in a difficult position.
“We only have one detention officer who is trying to keep up with over 300 people on electronic leg monitors,” Skinner said.
The Sheriff further noted that since 2022, he has repeatedly asked Judge Chris Hill and the Collin County Commissioners to develop a more robust system for managing pretrial detainees. The issue was raised again in a July budget meeting at the county commissioner’s court with the Sheriff present. At the meeting, Skinner emphasized he is the only sheriff in Texas tasked with ankle monitoring.
“It was not my intention to continue doing this [monitoring]. I shouldn’t be doing a job traditionally done by the courts,” he stated, emphasizing the challenges his office faces.
The Sheriff wants to emphasize that he has no role in deciding parole or who does and doesn’t get ankle monitors. He says that is solely a function of the courts.
Adriane Heights, a rape survivor and founder of the nonprofit Rip the Bandage, expressed her concern, saying, “Oh my God. Where is he? And what are we doing about getting him back in jail?”
Rip the Bandage is a non-profit specializing in healing. The charity organization’s page reads, “Many of us walk around as if we are wearing a giant bandage. We mask our pain and pretend to be well. God wants us to rip the bandage of yesterday’s hurt!”
Adriane Heights, who knows firsthand the trauma caused by abuse, highlighted the impact Johnson’s flight has on victims.
“It was one of the scariest times of my life. There was no peace, there was no sleep, there was no eating, so I can only imagine the feelings this 12-year-old girl has right now,” Heights shared.
Sheriff Skinner confirmed that social media posts have led to strong leads in the search for Johnson. However, the broader issue of inadequate monitoring remains unresolved.
“The Collin County commissioners court needed to establish a pretrial services division to manage this caseload,” Skinner added.