Stephen Johnson, Miami Gardens police chief, arrested in prostitution sting

Miami Gardens Police Chief Stephen Johnson was fired after being arrested Friday for soliciting a prostitute, officials said.

Deputies were conducting an undercover prostitution sting at a hotel in Dania Beach, Florida, when Mr. Johnson, 53, was arrested, according to a Broward Sheriff’s Office arrest report, a local NBC affiliate reported.

Police had placed an ad for escort services on backpage.com, and two detectives were posing as prostitutes at the hotel, the affidavit said. Police say Mr. Johnson called the number in the ad and arranged to pay $100 for two prostitutes, or the “two-girl special,” the report said. 

Mr. Johnson was arrested after he arrived at the hotel room and handed over the $100, police said. He allegedly had two condoms in his pocket when he was arrested, the report said.

Mr. Johnson posted bond and was released early Saturday. He blamed his arrest on the pressures of his job, telling reporters, “The stress overwhelmed me and I made a very bad decision,” the Miami Herald reported.

A news release from the department said Assistant Chief Antonio Brooklen will serve as interim chief.

“We remain committed to excellence, integrity on every level and will not allow Mr. Johnson’s bad judgment to reflect negatively on the hardworking officers of the City of Miami Gardens and the residents they serve on a daily basis,” the agency said in a statement.

On Saturday, Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert told the Miami Herald that the city will move on from this incident.

“Mr. Johnson’s actions were unacceptable and I support the city manager’s decision to end his tenure as chief of police immediately,” he said. “The city police department is more than one man. It is hundreds of dedicated men and women that rise to serve the wonderful residents of the city. Their duty is unchanged and their service will not be interrupted. We will move forward as a police department, city, and community, together.”

Mr. Johnson was named Miami Gardens’ Police chief in May 2014. He previously served as North Miami’s city manager from 2011 to 2014.