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Sheldon Johnson, the 48-year-old criminal justice reform advocate who appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast as a symbol of positive change, has been arrested on murder charges after a decapitated head and dismembered torso were found in his Bronx apartment .
Johnson, recently released after serving a 25-year prison sentence, was outspoken on the Joe Rogan Podcast about the injustices of the American justice system, particularly racial bias.
Watch his interview with Joe Rogan:
Last month, Joe Rogan called on “prison reform activist” Sheldon Johnson to discuss the unfairness of the American justice system.
Johnson had just come out of a 25-year prison sentence.
He spoke about how unfair it was that he was sent to prison for as long as he was, and that… pic.twitter.com/0iW5AKqEdU
– Keith Woods (@KeithWoodsYT) 7 March 2024
His arrest now presents a chilling contrast to the picture of reform and liberation he had previously presented to audiences.
Bronx 44th Precinct officers encountered a horrifying scene after responding to a call at Johnson's apartment. Inside, they found a human torso in a blue trash can and a severed head in the freezer. Neighbors reported hearing cries for their lives followed by gunshots, following which a medical checkup was conducted and found to be critical.
According to the New York Post, Johnson, who works for the public law firm Queens Defenders, was arrested and held without bail.
Perfect image for NYC state. @ManhattanDA Alvin Bragg shaking hands with the man accused of beheading a victim, placing it in a freezer and leaving the torso in an apartment #bronx, What a time to be alive? #NYC, #NYPD pic.twitter.com/Sfil9n76kP
– DennisStephen22 (@DennisStephen22) 7 March 2024
The victim was identified as 44-year-old Colin Smalls, who reportedly had a troubled history with Johnson during their shared time in Sing Sing prison.
As he was led away in handcuffs, Johnson professed his innocence to the press. Although the evidence seemed scant, police also found other dismembered body parts in Johnson's apartment and a video showed him in disguise near the crime scene.