Originally published in the Summer/Fall 2025 edition of the Virginia Defender, issue 77, printed December 11. Reproduced here for accessibility and archival purposes. To find other stories in the Summer/Fall 2025 issue or to download the full PDF, see this post. For other issues dating back to 2012, see the Full Issues page.
I, Mr. Shawn ‘Sha’ Johnson, am an inmate who has been incarcerated for the past 32 years fighting a case of murder-robbery which I did not do and which was the result of the corrupt ex-detective Robert Glenn Ford’s widespread and persistent fraud.
It is my sincere belief that if my case got the attention it deserves, I will be freed after serving more than three decades of false imprisonment.
The lead detective in my case has since been discredited and charged with felonies, as well as incarcerated for fraudulent actions. Every time I turn around, another innocent person is being released because of the fraudulent activities of this ex-detective. Robert Glenn Ford has served or was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years in a Federal/State Prison.
I need your help in getting my case the publicity and attention it deserves. Thank you for your time and attention in this matter.
Sincerely,
Shawn Sha Johnson
Nottaway Correctional Center
BURKEVILLE
Editor’s note: The Project for Informed Reform at the University of Virginia is looking into cases handled by disgraced former Norfolk Detective Robert Glenn Ford. This is from the project’s website:
“At the request of the elected Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney, we will continue reviewing and analyzing all the serious felony cases that had been assigned to a corrupt homicide detective who was later convicted and served time for crimes he committed while employed by the Norfolk Police Department.”
People who believe their cases were unfairly influenced by Ford can contact the project at:
Project for Informed Reform
University of Virginia
1001 Emmet St. N.
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Categories: Letters to the Editor
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