In a shocking development from the Bronx, Sheldon Johnson, a 48-year-old criminal justice activist and employee at the public law firm Queens Defenders, has been arrested and charged with murder. This arrest follows the harrowing discovery of a dismembered body inside an apartment, with Johnson allegedly caught on surveillance footage wearing a disguise at the crime scene.
Johnson, whose transformation from a former convict to a respected victims’ advocate has been well-documented, including an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, was seen being led away in handcuffs from the 44th Precinct stationhouse. Inside the apartment, police found a human torso inside a blue bin and a head in the freezer, marking a gruesome end to what appears to be a violent altercation.
The victim, identified as 44-year-old Collin Small, is believed to have had a history with Johnson, dating back to their time together in Sing Sing prison. Neighbors reported hearing desperate pleas from Small before two fatal shots were fired. “Please don’t,” Small was heard begging, “I have a family!”
Johnson’s arrest was precipitated by a wellness check initiated after neighbors observed suspicious activities, including Johnson’s visits to the apartment with cleaning supplies. Surveillance footage further revealed Johnson’s cautious approach to the apartment, carrying a mop and a bag filled with cleaning materials.
The apartment’s superintendent, deeply concerned by Johnson’s late-night activities, including bringing a blue bin into the apartment which he never saw removed, alerted the authorities. Johnson was also observed leaving in the victim’s vehicle and returning in different attire, suggesting an attempt to disguise his identity and activities.
Colin Small’s tragic end has left the community in shock, with residents and the building superintendent recounting the sequence of events leading to Johnson’s arrest. Before his transformation into an advocate for criminal justice reform, Johnson served 20 years in prison for a series of armed robberies committed in 1999. Claiming to have turned his life around post-incarceration, Johnson’s recent arrest brings a tragic twist to his story of redemption.
The Queens Defenders office, where Johnson was employed, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the incident. As the investigation continues, Johnson’s arrest has stirred conversations about the challenges of rehabilitation and the complexities of human behavior, leaving a community to mourn the loss and grapple with the unsettling details of the crime.