Second suspect arrested in alleged kidnapping, robbery in Troup County

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Two others charged with hindering suspect’s arrest

By Melanie Ruberti

mruberti@civitasmedia.com

Easley

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2015/09/web1_WEB0929Easley1.jpgEasley

Swann

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2015/09/web1_Swann-Megan3.jpgSwann

Johnson

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2015/09/web1_0929Johnson1.jpgJohnson

HOGANSVILLE — Investigators with the Troup County Sheriff’s Office said the second suspect in an unusual alleged kidnapping, armed robbery and aggravated battery case at a home in the first block of Yarbrough Drive in Troup County was arrested Friday.

Eddie Charles Johnson Jr., 32, of LaGrange, was arrested inside the same home on Yarbrough Drive where the alleged incident took place, investigators said.

TCSO Capt. Mike Caldwell, chief investigator, said deputies also arrested Jeanine Easley, 50, and Megan Swann, 19, charged with felony hindering the apprehension of a criminal in the case.

According to Caldwell, both women impeded law enforcement from arresting Johnson, who was wanted on kidnapping, armed robbery and aggravated battery charges.

Caldwell said Swann is a friend of Johnson, and Easley is the mother of Aaron Creed, 29, the co-defendant in the case.

Creed was in Troup County Magistrate Court on Sept. 17, where Troup County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jorge Olmo-Novoa testified two alleged victims went to a residence in the first block of Yarbrough Drive in the early morning of Aug. 25 to sell Creed some tools and speakers, and they got into an argument over the price of the items.

Olmo-Novoa testified that one victim told him Johnson showed up around that time outside the residence and seemed “under the influence of something.” The investigator said the situation escalated and Johnson allegedly pulled out a gun and began hitting one victim with it, eventually breaking his jaw and causing numerous lacerations to his face.

The investigator testified Creed approached the uninjured man with a machete in his hands and demanded that he give him one of the stolen items, which was a radio. Olmo-Novoa said when deputies executed a search warrant on Creed’s home they found that same radio in his possession.

Creed’s charges were dropped to just armed robbery.

Johnson was behind bars this morning on charges of kidnapping, armed robbery and aggravated battery.

Melanie Ruberti is a reporter at LaGrange Daily News. She may be reached at 706-884-7311, ext. 2156.