Sterling Johnson pleads under Georgia First Offender Act in family‑violence case
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Summary
Sterling Johnson pleaded guilty under the Georgia First Offender Act to family‑violence battery and a cruelty‑to‑children count; the court accepted a 12‑month probation sentence with fines, community service and enrollment in a family‑violence intervention program.
Sterling Johnson appeared Jan. 13 and entered guilty pleas under the Georgia First Offender Act to a battery family‑violence charge and a cruelty‑to‑children count. Defense counsel informed the court the plea would be under the First Offender Act with counts 2–4 merged into count 1 and count 5 treated under the First Offender Act as well.
The factual basis presented by the prosecution described a December 26, 2022 domestic disturbance in which the victim had visible bite marks and injuries; a juvenile was present. The state recommended 12 months probation for count 1, a $300 fine, enrollment in a family violence intervention program (a multi‑week course), 40 hours of community service and no contact with the identified victim. The court accepted the plea under the First Offender framework and imposed the recommended probation, fined the defendant (total with surcharges given to defendant), required the intervention program and community service, and emphasized conditions including no contact with the victim and reporting to probation.
The court explained the consequences of First Offender treatment, the need to complete program requirements promptly and warned defendants that failing to report to probation can result in arrest and jeopardize First Offender disposition.