Man arrested for stabbing acquaintance over drug money

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Liheame Kenneth Johnson, 52, was arrested late last night and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and drug possession after allegedly stabbing an acquaintance over drug money.

At about 9 p.m. last night, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to a call about a stabbing at Village 34 Apartments, 328 SW 34th Street. The victim, who was transported to the hospital with a large laceration on his arm that will require stitches and leave a scar, told the officer that he had known Johnson for about two days. He said he and Johnson got into an argument because Johnson wanted him to give him more money for drugs, and when he refused, Johnson yelled that he was going to kill him, but he didn’t take him seriously.

The victim said Johnson started punching him a few minutes later, then Johnson went into another room and returned with a knife. The victim said Johnson attacked him with the knife, and he quickly left Johnson’s apartment.

The officer reportedly found “large amounts” of blood on the walkway outside Johnson’s apartment and on his door.

Post Miranda, Johnson reportedly said he and the victim had gotten into a verbal argument, and the victim left. He said they never engaged in a physical altercation, and he didn’t stab the victim. He also said the victim was not bleeding when he last saw him. However, when an officer asked about the blood on Johnson’s upper lip, Johnson reportedly said the victim probably “flung” blood at him, but he didn’t know. When asked about the blood outside his door, Johnson reportedly said the victim probably threw up “or something.” Johnson was reportedly unable to reconcile his statements that he didn’t see blood on the victim, but the victim flung blood on him.

A search incident to arrest reportedly produced 0.28 grams of MDPV, which Johnson reportedly called “molly.” When asked about a large kitchen knife reportedly found on the couch and a smaller knife found on a table, Johnson reportedly said he always keeps knives in the kitchen.

Johnson has an out-of-state criminal history in New York and Missouri; he reportedly did not answer questions about how long he has been in this area. Judge Walter Green set bail at $20,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.