Kidnap Charges Now Filed in Amber Alert Incident

An Eastern Iowa man now faces an additional charge of kidnapping for allegedly abducting his 9 year old step-daughter.

The incident began in the early morning hours of Saturday, March 7th, when Shelly Johns of Solon reported she had been in a domestic dispute with her husband, 48 year old Kenneth Johns, after which he took her daughter, 9 year old Brianna Crane, from the home, without permission.

Following an investigation into the incident, authorities issued an Amber Alert. Johns was allegedly in possession of a gun during the abduction.

At about 1:30am Sunday, March 8th, an arrangement was made for Brianna to be dropped off at a convenience store in West Branch. Johns was later arrested in Davenport.
According to authorities, Johns had previous valid warrants for a parole violation and assault with a weapon.

After being booked into the Johnson County Jail, Johns was involved in an assault with another inmate, in which Johns was the aggressor. Johns is accused of biting the other inmate, but he also sustained injuries in the fracas. Johns was treated and released at the local hospital.

On Wednesday (March 18th), the Johnson County Sheriff filed additional charges on Johns, including Kidnapping 2nd degree, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and carrying weapons.

Coralville Police filed charges of control of a firearm by a felon, Harassement 1st degree, and domestic abuse/ assault with display or use of a weapon.

He is being held in the Johnson County Jail in Iowa City, without bond.

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