Father sentenced to life and his son to 20 years in armed burglary with battery case
State Attorney's Office (SAO), Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida
In a recent armed burglary case handled by the State Attorney's Office in Florida's Fifth Judicial Circit, 32 year-old Eric William Johnson of Homosassa, Florida was sentenced to serve 20 years with the Florida Department of Corrections, after pleading guilty for his involvement in a crimes that included kidnapping, burglary of a dwelling with a deadly weapon, and impersonating a law enforcement officer.
On February 8, 2024, Johnson's father, 71 year-old Maynard David Selvog, also of Homosassa, was found guilty of charges in the same case, which included being a principal to kidnapping while armed, and burglary of a dwelling while armed. Selvog was sentenced to serve life with the Florida Department of Corrections.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Nicholas Caporicci and Kaitlyn Mannis.
“The sentence of twenty years and life serves as a beacon of deterrence and a testament of our commitment to protecting our citizens,” said State Atorney William “Bill” Gladson. “Posing as law enforcement and forcibly entering someone’s home is not only a breach of trust, but a perilous assault on civil liberties. The acts of both Johnson and Selvog undermine the very fabric of justice, and endanger the safety and security of our community.”
On June 19, 2023, Selvog drove Johnson to a Homosassa camper residence. Selvog stayed behind in the vehicle, a sports utility vehicle, while Johnson exited the vehicle, carrying what the victims thought was an AR-15 style rifle. It was later determined that the rifle was actually an Airsoft rifle.
Johnson knocked on the door of the camper, shouting "Citrus County Sheriff's Department," and then pointed the rifle at the victims, a man and a woman, demanding that they exit the camper. Since Johnson was armed and had stated that he was a law enforcement officer, the victims went outside as instructed, and Johnson kept them together at gunpoint.
When the female victim realized that Johnson was not a law enforcement officer, she attempted to call 9-1-1, but Johnson took away her phone. While Johnson was distracted with attempting to obtain the phone, the man ran to a home on the property for help, and noticed Selvog sitting in the driver's seat of an SUV parked near the road.
Johnson chased after the man, who entered the neighboring house. Johnson kicked in the door of the home and went inside, where a fight ensued between Johnson, and the victim and the homeowner. The homeowner disarmed Johnson and struck Johnson's head with the buttstock of the rifle. Johnson and Selvog fled from the property on foot.
When bonafide deputies from the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) arrived at the location, they found Selvog at a nearby residence and took him into custody. Selvog told deputies that Johnson was hiding in a nearby shed.
Deputies found Johnson, holding a firearm. When Johnson failed to comply with commands from deputies, a K-9 deputy released his K-9 (canine) partner to apprehend Johnson. When the K-9 grabbed Johnson, Johnson positioned his gun under dog's chin and pulled the trigger, but the gun malfunctioned. Johnson reloaded the gun and again pulled the trigger, and once again, the rifle failed to fire. After the second malfunction, deputies moved in and gained control of Johnson, who was also taken into custody.
Selvog was transported to the Citrus County Detention Center, charged with armed home invasion robbery, and principle in the first degree in the commission of a felony. His bond was set at $50,000.
After receiving treatment for his injuries at Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville, Florida, Johnson was transported to the Citrus County Detention Center, charged with armed home invasion robbery, two counts of kidnapping to commit a felony, armed burglary of a dwelling, aggravated assault of a person 65 years of age or older, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; hindering, delaying or preventing communication to law enforcement; impersonating a law enforcement officer, battery of a police canine, and resisting law enforcement without violence. His bond was set at $201,000.