Steven Michael Johnson, finest generally known as cancer-fighting T-shirt designer “Scuba Steve,” was arrested for allegedly impersonating a cop when authorities requested him to maneuver his automobile at a neighborhood arts pageant — however he claims it’s all an enormous “misunderstanding.”
Johnson, who gained fame for founding Scuba Steve Clothes Firm, was working as a vendor in downtown Picayune, Mississippi, on the Spring Avenue Pageant on Saturday when a police officer requested him to maneuver his automobile out of a restricted space.
“He was requested to indicate his badge and credentials, and he stated he left them at residence, after which walked off,” Picayune Police Chief Joe Quave instructed the Solar Herald.
The officer later realized Johnson had lied, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was picked up by police in Gulfport and charged with felony impersonation of a regulation enforcement officer this week.
Nevertheless Johnson’s lawyer, Mitch Owen, claims the incident was all an enormous “misunderstanding” and that Johnson had permission to park the place he did.
“We dispute that he was making an attempt to impersonate a regulation enforcement officer. It’s unlucky,” the lawyer instructed WLOX.
Owen stated Johnson, who had a vendor sales space on the semi-annual pageant, had an settlement with the organizers to park his automobile in a barricaded space near his sales space due his sickness from radiation therapies.
And it was Johnson’s understanding that police had been knowledgeable of his situation, in accordance with Owen.
Police might have slapped Johnson with a misdemeanor, however as an alternative pursued the felony cost, his lawyer stated. If convicted, Johnson faces as much as three years in jail and as much as $5,000 in fines.
“Thank YOU very a lot to town of Picayune for all the love and hugs,” Johnson posted on social media Monday, with out mentioning his arrest.
“I’m worn out i had a tough evening publish most cancers points and simply awoke. Simply needed yall to understand how a lot I admire yall.”
An icon round southern Mississippi, Johnson and his T-shirt printing enterprise took off after he was given simply six months to reside in 2015 following a stage three colorectal most cancers analysis.
He underwent years of painful chemotherapy and was lastly declared cancer-free in 2017, in accordance with his web site.
“Scuba Steve” was a nickname Johnson was given by pals in highschool.
