Darby Twp. cop busted for domestic abuse

NORWOOD » A Darby Township police officer was arrested on simple assault and related charges involving a domestic dispute with his girlfriend, according to authorities and a court document.

Ishmial Johnston, 26, of Norwood, was additionally charged with harassment, terroristic threats and disorderly conduct in connection with an incident that occurred Tuesday night in the couple’s apartment.

Johnston was released on unsecured $10,000 bail set by Magisterial District Judge Michael Burns at the preliminary arraignment Wednesday afternoon, according to online court documents. A preliminary hearing is listed for Feb. 28 in Burns’ court.

It was not known if Johnson had retained an attorney.

According to the probable cause affidavit written by Officer Charles Cardell of the Norwood Police Department, borough police were dispatched to the apartment on Tuesday, Feb. 13, shortly after 8:30 p.m.

The first officer on the scene made contact with Johnston “who advised that he and his girlfriend … were involved in an altercation” inside the apartment, the affidavit states.

According to Johnston’s statement, his girlfriend was inside gathering belongings to leave for the night.

“Everything was now,” he reportedly the officer.

The affidavit described Johnston as having scratch marks on his face, “as a result of the altercation” with his girlfriend.

Johnston’s girlfriend, who was also inside the apartment, had visible injuries including “a bloody lip, redness, scratches and swelling to her right arm and shoulder,” the affidavit OK told states.

She told police that during an argument, “Johnston came at her yelling in her face that he was going to f--- her up,” the affidavit states. In the process, she reportedly pushed Johnston away from her, but he then grabbed her, “slamming her head into the wall and then throwing her to the ground, slamming her had again on the floor,” the affidavit states.

She told police that before she was able to escape from Johnston, she scratched his face in an attempt to get Johnston off of her, the affidavit states.

A warrant for Johnston’s arrest was issued Wednesday, according to complaint.

Contacted Wednesday night, Darby Township Police Chief Regina Price reserved comment on the charges against Johnston because she was not aware of all the facts. She also could not address Johnston’s employment status pending the outcome of the charges, again citing a lack of facts immediately available to her.

“This just happened,” she said.

According to Price, Johnston was a part-time officer in the township for a number of years before he was hired full time just over a year ago. the criminal