Johnson awaits governor’s warrant
Triple homicide suspect will soon be extradited from Tooele County, Utah to Humboldt County
Bear River triple homicide suspect Mauricio Eduardo Sanchez Johnson, 18, will soon be extradited from Tooele County, Utah to Humboldt County.
Johnson faces three murder charges and two special allegations for the Feb. 10 killing of 40-year-old Nikki Dion Metcalf, 40-year-old Margarett Lee Moon and 16-year-old Shelly Autumn Mae Moon in Bear River.
After twice refusing to waive extradition, Humboldt County sought a governor’s warrant to bring Johnson back to California. A governor’s warrant spurs legal action. In this case, it could force extradition.
“My understanding is (the governor’s office is) finalizing all the necessary documents from the California Department of Justice to petition the Utah Court to extradite with the governor’s warrant,” Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal told the TimesStandard on Thursday.
Once the state of Utah receives the governor’s warrant, a Tooele County judge will review the warrant, confirm Johnson’s identity and approve the warrant.
“Johnson will then be ordered to be transported back to Humboldt County,” Honsal said. “The (District Attorney) will then advise my office and I will dispatch my transport deputies to escort Mr. Johnson back to Humboldt County for his day in court.”
It remains unclear when exactly extradition will occur. Reached by email this week, an unknown spokesperson for the governor’s office told the Times-Standard, “There is no update to provide on (the warrant’s) status.”
Honsal confirmed that Johnson remains the sole suspect in the triple homicide. Johnson is scheduled to appear in Utah court on April 6.
“The case is still under investigation,” Honsal said. “We are looking at few potential suspects who may have aided in the escape of Mr. Johnson.”
Johnson’s mother’s boyfriend Von Eric Keener, 46, was in the same vehicle as Johnson when he was arrested by Utah Highway Patrol on Feb. 11. Keener was taken into custody on a parole warrant and was extradited to Humboldt County on March 11.
Keener was arraigned on Monday on charges of failure to register as a sex offender. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees told the Times-Standard on Friday Keener has not received any charges relating to the triple homicide.
“He has been charged with a new complaint alleging penal code section 290 violation regarding his registration obligations,” Rees said.
Keener’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 1.