An Anchorage radio personality is facing felony assault charges after he reportedly beat and choked his girlfriend, according to the charging document in the case.
Kedrick D’Kelley Johnson, who co-hosts the “PlayHouse" morning show on the R&B station KFAT under the stage name “KJ,” appeared in court Thursday on three assault charges stemming from accusations he attacked a woman he was dating as she was trying to leave his home last week.
Johnson indicated he wasn’t interested in negotiating his charges short of a Grand Jury, according to Anchorage District Attorney John Novak. His next court date is Feb. 15, but his case may go before a Grand Jury before then, Novak said.
Johnson’s girlfriend told police she was approached by another woman Jan. 27 as she was walking from the house, and the woman confronted her to ask if she was having a sexual relationship with Johnson, according to the charging document. Johnson’s girlfriend told the woman she was dating him.
When the girlfriend tried to leave in her truck, Johnson came up and pushed her into the vehicle, where she hit her head against the center console, the charging document said.
When she tried to stand up, she slipped and fell on the ice, and Johnson picked her up, slamming her into the truck and causing her to hit her head again and fall to the ground. He then began choking her, the charging document said.
“She could not breathe, was losing consciousness, and could not push Johnson away," the document said.
Johnson loosened his grip when he saw the woman who had confronted his girlfriend leaving in her own vehicle, the charging document said.
Officers found bruises on the neck, arm and legs of Johnson’s girlfriend. The bruise on her neck looked like “possible human thumb prints,” officers said. She told police she suffered from a sore throat after the assault, as well as having difficulty swallowing and speaking.
Johnson’s girlfriend said she had to have ongoing medical support for her injuries in the week following the reported attack.
Johnson denied assaulting the woman, telling police he got in between the two women because they were fighting, according to the charging document.
A representative from Ohana Media Group, the company that owns KFAT, did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Johnson also hosts the cooking show “Double the Flavor” on the television station KYUR alongside his twin brother and “PlayHouse” co-host, Don Megga. The show’s second season was scheduled to premier in March, according to the “Double the Flavor” Facebook page, but KYUR general manager Scott Centers said in an email Wednesday the program is no longer airing.
Johnson bailed out of jail on $1,000 bond but is required to wear a locating device, among other stipulations. He has several out-of-state convictions for offenses including theft, credit card fraud and discharging a firearm in public.