Father indicted, daughter sentenced in arson case

Staff Report 2:41 PM Thursday, November 19, 2009

HAMILTON — A father has been indicted for his role in an arson that his daughter was found guilty of earlier this week, the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office announced today, Nov. 19.

Edwin L. Johnson, of the 1400 block of Helma Avenue in Hamilton, was indicted this morning by a grand jury for complicity to arson, arson and obstructing justice, according to court records.

Authorities said Johnson implicated himself during testimony he gave at the trial of his daughter, Simone Thomas.

Thomas, 32, of the 900 block of Hogue Road in Hanover Twp., was found guilty of arson by a jury on Tuesday, according to court records. The following day, Butler County Common Pleas Judge Michael Sage sentenced Thomas to 15 months in prison.

The charges stem from a car fire on June 4, in which a Butler County sheriff’s deputy observed the fire and a truck speeding away from the scene, officials said.

Thomas and Johnson were located later in the truck trying to hide in a driveway. During Thomas’ trial, Johnson took the stand and partly confessed to his role in the crime, officials said.

“This woman is disturbed and her father is obviously part of the problem. We can only hope her stay in prison straightens her out. Her father, Edwin Johnson, will now be held accountable for his role in torching the car,” said Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper.

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