Escaping an Oregon prison nearly three decades ago, Steven Craig Johnson thought he could outsmart authorities by stealing a dead child’s identity. But on Tuesday, in a dramatic twist, he was finally arrested in Georgia, ending one of the most relentless manhunts in recent history.
Fugitive Captured After Nearly Three Decades
A man who escaped from an Oregon prison nearly 30 years ago and stole a child’s identity was captured in Georgia on Tuesday. Authorities confirmed the arrest of Steven Craig Johnson, who had been living under a false identity.
Escape from Oregon
Steven Craig Johnson, convicted of sexual abuse charges, escaped from the Mill Creek Correctional Facility in Salem, Oregon, on November 29, 1994. He had been in custody since June 1989.
Arrest in Georgia
Johnson, now 70, was apprehended at an apartment complex in Macon, Georgia, by the US Marshals Service. The fugitive task force located him after a long investigation.
Living Under a False Identity
He had been living under the name William Cox since 2011. Johnson managed to evade capture for years by assuming a deceased child’s identity.
Stolen Identity Uncovered
Investigators revealed that Johnson stole the identity of a child who died in Texas in 1962. He obtained a birth certificate and a Social Security number to create a new identity.
Pursued by Marshals Service
The Marshals Service took over the case in 2015 at the request of the Oregon Department of Corrections. Advanced investigative technology led to new leads, ultimately resulting in his capture.
Awaiting Extradition
Johnson is now in Georgia’s Bibb County jail, awaiting extradition back to Oregon. His legal representation status remains unclear.
Oregon’s Most Wanted
Johnson was listed among Oregon’s most wanted fugitives. Authorities warned he posed a high risk to pre-teen boys and should be kept away from children.
Closure of Mill Creek Correctional Facility
The Mill Creek Correctional Facility closed in 2021 by order of then-Gov. Kate Brown, as part of her sentencing reform efforts. This facility originally opened in 1929 as the Farm Annex of the Oregon State Penitentiary.
Historical Role of Mill Creek
Until 1998, inmates at Mill Creek processed milk from a farmers’ cooperative for use by other state institutions. This facility was a minimum-security prison located five miles southeast of Salem.
Facility Details
Mill Creek Correctional Facility, unfenced and spanning 2,089 acres, housed approximately 290 adults in custody who were within four years of release. The Oregon Department of Corrections noted its unique characteristics compared to other facilities.
Financial and Reform Goals
Gov. Brown’s decision to close three Oregon prisons, including Mill Creek, aimed to save the state more than $44 million. She emphasized reducing reliance on incarceration and increasing investments in prevention efforts.
