THE FUGITIVE WHO APPLIED FOR A POLICE JOB From Applicant to Arrested:
Even most criminals need traditional employment to pay the bills, but Zyeama Johnson looked for work in all the wrong places. Perhaps Johnson imagined her previous experience with law enforcement would give her a leg up in her application to the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office in New Jersey in 2022. But unfortunately for her, all of Johnson’s past and future involvement with the police would be on the wrong side of the law. Johnson was looking for a legal way to earn a living when she applied for a job as a security guard at the sheriff’s office. But her past money-making ventures allegedly involved fraud, and she had failed to appear in a Pennsylvania court on the charges. Presumably, Johnson did not realize a police station would perform a background check before hiring — or that this office specializes in resolving outstanding warrants. When processing her application, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office discovered the active bench warrant in Pennsylvania. The routine investigation also found 10 additional active bench warrants in Jersey City, New Jersey; Johnson had allegedly failed to appear on traffic charges.
Most employers in this situation would probably move on to the next applicant, but the sheriff’s department decided to call Johnson in for an “interview” instead. Unsurprisingly, they had no intention of hiring her and arrested the fugitive on the spot. It gave the standard interview question, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” a new meaning. After taking Johnson into custody, the police proceeded to search her property. Incredibly, they found two credit cards in her possession they believed were stolen. Police added credit card theft charges to Johnson’s already considerable rap sheet. To make matters worse for her, the sheriff’s office also contacted Johnson’s former employer, the United States Postal Service, which launched its own investigation into her conduct. As of October 2022, Johnson was being held in a Hudson County jail awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania for the most serious charge against her. It’s unclear why she thought applying for a law enforcement position with outstanding warrants was a wise career move, but at least she made her would-be coworkers’ jobs easy that day.
HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR CLAIM Must-Have Evidence for a Strong Personal Injury Claim
While you may know deep down you’re not responsible for an accident or your injuries, collecting the evidence to prove it isn’t always easy. To prove your case, you need evidence to back up your claim and your damages. So, when defending your claim, what counts as evidence? MEDICAL RECORDS AND BILLS While your injuries may be apparent, medical records can better describe the extent of your pain and the treatments or operations you needed. An insurer may try to use your previous medical records to prove your injuries or symptoms were the result of a preexisting condition rather than the accident. Fortunately, these medical records can help prove otherwise. Additionally, your medical bills are just as vital to demonstrate how much financial stress you endured due to these expenses. Be sure to document and save the following information:
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Hospital records Doctor’s notes
rehabilitation bills At-home care
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Surveillance footage Photos or videos from a witness Police footage
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Traffic camera photos Personal photos of severe injuries or damage
Test results Hospital and
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And more!
POLICE REPORTS A police report or accident report will help detail the accident from an unbiased source and can prove that your claim is valid. The report will describe what happened, who was involved, and other specifics needed. You can receive this report by contacting the police department or business where the accident occurred. Always obtain this report as soon as possible! PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOS Perhaps the most convincing forms of evidence are photos and videos. Pictures and videos can better display the severity of your accident and pain. Any of the following types of photos or videos can be used as evidence:
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WITNESS AND EXPERT TESTIMONY Additional support will always benefit your case. So, if a witness can testify and support your claim, your attorney should ensure this happens! Also, if an expert, such as a doctor or financial expert, can reinforce your claim, you will have a better chance of winning your case. If you or someone you know was recently injured in an accident, our team can help acquire all the evidence needed and guide you through this process. Call (404) 566‑5880 and let us work on your case so you can focus on healing.
You can always reach Kevin directly at 404.566.8964 or Kevin@PatrickTrialLaw.com. (If you ever need it, his cellphone is 404.409.3160.)
2 • KEVINPATRICK.LAW I 404.566.5880
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