The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Team in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service – Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force (USMS-GLRFTF) apprehended a man wanted on Florida felony charges at a hotel in Vernon Hills.  

On January 2, 2020, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Team in conjunction with USMS-GLRFTF, apprehended Willie A. Johnson, III, 25, of the 3400 block of NW 1st Ct, Fort Lauderdale, FL.  Johnson was wanted on a Broward County, FL, no bond warrant for armed kidnapping and robbery with a firearm.  

On January 1, 2020 USMS–Florida/Caribbean Fugitive Task Force contacted USMS-GLRFTF as it was possible Johnson was in the Lake County area.  Members of the Sheriff’s Warrants Team developed information Johnson was staying at a hotel in the 400 block of North Milwaukee Avenue, Vernon Hills.  Members of the Sheriff’s Warrants Team were able to confirm Johnson’s room number.

On January 2, 2020, members of the Sheriff’s Warrants Team, Sheriff’s Tactical Response Team, and a Sheriff’s Canine Team entered Johnson’s hotel room and apprehended him without incident.  

He was transported to the Lake County Jail where he will be held pending extradition to Broward County, FL.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.