A Gahanna police officer has been relieved of duty by the city following her arrest for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence.
Brenda Joyce Johnson, 29, of Jefferson Township, was off-duty and driving westbound on East Broad Street on Jan. 24 on Columbus’ Far East Side when she was stopped near the intersection with Bannockburn Boulevard and Reynolds Crossing Drive by an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper.
Johnson was charged with OVI and driving outside marked lanes, court records show. She allegedly had glassy, bloodshot eyes and there was a strong odor of alcohol, according to the trooper.
A felony charge against Johnson of improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle for knowingly transporting a weapon while under the influence was dismissed at arraignment in Municipal Court, but could potentially be moved to Franklin County Common Pleas Court, court records state.
A plea of not guilty on the other charges was entered for Johnson, court records show. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Feb. 25 before Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Mike McAllister.
Meanwhile, Gahanna police are conducting an administrative investigation into the incident.
Johnson previously pleaded guilty in September 2024 to a misdemeanor charge of physical control impaired, which is defined as being in the driver’s position with access to the ignition key while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, even while parked.
The charge was the result of an incident on May 6, 2024, involving New Albany police on the State Route 161 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 62., court records show. A misdemeanor charge of improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle in that incident also was dismissed.
Court records show Johnson paid a $50 fine and her court costs were reduced by $72 to $50 for a total $100 payment. Her license was suspended with limited privileges until Nov. 1, 2024, court records show.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Gahanna police officer charged with OVI by Ohio State Highway Patrol
Reporting by Jim Wilhelm, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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