Army files charges against Hawaii soldiers in missing wife case

Army officials have filed charges against a Hawaii soldier after his six-months-pregnant wife disappeared. Her family said last week that the 19-year-old was presumed dead.

Army officials filed three charges and 14 specifications against Private Dewayne Arthur Johnson II “related to the disappearance of his wife, Mischa Johnson,” officials said. The charges include making false official statements, obstruction of justice and producing and distributing explicit images of children.

Johnson is in custody awaiting the required preliminary hearing before charges can be brought before a court martial. If charges are brought, he will be arraigned and a military judge will schedule preliminary hearings and a trial.

The case is being handled by the Office of Special Trial Counsel, part of the Pentagon's reform of handling criminal cases such as murder, sexual assault and domestic violence outside the chain of command.

“This case remains under investigation,” said Michelle McCaskill, a spokeswoman for OSTC. “We are confident that law enforcement will make every effort to find Mischa, and it is entirely possible that additional charges will be filed as the case progresses.”

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Mischa Johnson's family said in a livestream last week that authorities likely believed her dead, citing evidence found in her husband's car and their home.

Army investigators are trying to piece together details about Dewayne Johnson's whereabouts and activities between July 12 and August 1. During that time, Mischa Johnson's family received text messages from her phone, but she is not believed to have sent them.

A local Hawaii news station reported that surveillance footage showed Dewayne Johnson purchasing cleaning supplies and various tools before reporting his wife missing.

On August 1, the Army Criminal Investigation Division was notified that Mischa Johnson was reported missing from Schofield Barracks on O'ahu, Hawaii. According to CID, she was last seen at her home on July 31.

Earlier this month, CID also offered a $10,000 reward for information in the case. Army investigators are working with the Honolulu Police Department, CrimeStoppers and area law enforcement on the case.

Dewayne Arthur Johnson of Frederick, Maryland, joined the Army in November 2022. He is assigned to the 25th Infantry Division and serves as a cavalry scout.

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