SPOKANE, Wash. – Recent court documents outline the harassment and stalking former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward endured during her time in office.
The stalking and threats were a prolonged event through her term as mayor from 45-year-old Chesed B. Johnson.
Johnson started the harassment by going through Spokane Police Department about grievances and it quickly escalated from there.
According to court documents, and from our partner the Spokesman Review, Johnson would send threatening emails that he was outside Woodward’s home and was going to kidnap her.
He also made various other claims saying he would “make her pay” or was going to “disparage” her.
Even thinking to go after Woodward’s family and friends by seeking them out and threatening to destroy her husband’s business.
Johnson was convicted on harassment charges in 2022 and set up with mental health therapy.
He was placed on probation and was issued a no-contact order to which he violated in November when he approached Woodward at a Christmas tree lighting and said, “I’m going to make you listen to me.”
When police attempted to arrest him for violating his release conditions, he slammed the door and refused to come out. After several hours he was apprehended and taken into custody.
Johnson has a history and record of threatening behavior with law enforcement and other agencies including threats of a mass shooting in 2019.
He recently pleaded guilty to felony harassment charges and was sentenced to 131 days in jail and his bind has been set to $210,000.
