Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence
Man Sentenced to 6 Years for 3 Domestic Violence Felonies Against Live-in Girlfriend
NORFOLK, Va. — Jason Tyler Johnson, 30, was sentenced in November to serve six years in prison after he pleaded guilty to three domestic violence-related felonies for attacking his then-girlfriend at their residence earlier this year.
On Jan. 10, 2025, Mr. Johnson became angry at his then-girlfriend and accused her of having stolen one of his anti-anxiety pills. When she responded that he had consumed all his pills himself and that none were left, they started arguing, and Mr. Johnson threw her to the floor, punched her, kicked her, and bit her. Mr. Johnson then put the victim in a wrestling hold and strangled her with both hands. The victim could not breathe, saw stars, and felt as if she was going to die, so she clawed at Mr. Johnson’s arms to get him to let go. The victim ran out of the residence, but Mr. Johnson chased her down and dragged her back into the residence across a gravel parking lot.
After being pulled back into the residence, the victim managed to convince Mr. Johnson to go for a ride in his car to cool off. Mr. Johnson left the residence, and the victim ran across the street to a nearby restaurant for help. After reporting Mr. Johnson to the police, the victim went to a hospital for treatment and underwent a strangulation examination. Mr. Johnson was arrested later that day when he went to the hospital after getting into a car crash following the assault.
Because Mr. Johnson had previously been convicted in Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of two misdemeanor counts of domestic assault against the same victim from two separate incidents — for which he was sentenced to serve 12 months in jail — Mr. Johnson was charged with felony third-offense domestic assault, felony strangulation, and felony abduction. On Aug. 19, Mr. Johnson pleaded guilty as charged, without a plea agreement, to the three felonies. Judge Tasha D. Scott accepted Mr. Johnson’s pleas and found him guilty.
At Mr. Johnson’s sentencing hearing on Nov. 21, Mr. Johnson’s defense counsel argued for a sentence at the low end of his state sentencing guidelines, which recommended an active sentence of between one and three years, and the Commonwealth recommended a sentence of at least five years, a departure above the high end of the guidelines. After hearing the arguments, Judge Scott sentenced Mr. Johnson to serve six years in prison and suspended nine additional years on the conditions that Mr. Johnson comply with a lifetime protective order prohibiting contact with the victim and her family; have no contact with witnesses to the incident (who were expected to testify at trial); have no hostile contact with his ex-wife (who was also expected to testify against him and against whom he also has a history of abuse); complete alcohol and substance abuse treatment in custody; and complete 10 years of uniform good behavior and supervised probation following his release.
“I am grateful to and relieved for the survivors in this case, both the survivor of this incident and Mr. Johnson’s former wife, who were brave enough to call the police and willing to testify at trial against Mr. Johnson,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “When witnesses cooperate, the accused is more likely to plead guilty and accept responsibility. Mr. Johnson’s abusive behavior warranted a sentence above his sentencing guidelines, both to reflect his wrongdoing and to protect the community. I hope that Mr. Johnson uses the resources available to him in prison and on probation to correct his behavior and cause no further harm to people he claims to love.”
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Adam L. LaFon prosecuted Mr. Johnson’s case, and Norfolk Police Detective Cody R. Pessig led the investigation.
If you and/or someone you love are a victim of a crime — including but not limited to domestic violence — resources are available at the Norfolk Family Justice Center. For more information, please visit norfolkfjc.org, call 757-330-0376, or stop by the NFJC located at 835 Glenrock Road, Suite 100, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. If you are in crisis, call the 24/7 hotline by dialing 757-251-0144. In an emergency, please call 911.
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