
VALDOSTA – A federal investigation into the death of Kendrick Johnson has ended, and his family is expected to meet with federal prosecutors to learn if charges will be brought in the case, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Johnson’s body was found upside down in a vertically-stored gym mat at Lowndes High School in January 2013. A state autopsy ruled the 17-year-old’s death accidental, but Johnson’s parents have insisted their son died of foul play.
Kenneth and Jackie Johnson are scheduled to meet with federal prosecutors this afternoon at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Macon, according to the AJC.
A family spokesperson told the AJC that Johnson’s parents are confident in their position that the teen’s death “was no accident.”
Local and state investigators determined Johnson died after he became trapped in an athletic mat while reaching for a pair of sneakers.
Former U.S. Attorney Michael Moore launched the federal review of the case in October 2013.
In January 2015, Kenneth and Jackie Johnson filed a $100 million civil suit which alleged local FBI agent Rick Bell, his two sons and 35 state and local officials either directly caused or covered up the cause of their son’s death. The suit was later dropped, and former defendants are currently seeking attorneys’ fees from the Johnsons.
While U.S. Marshals have raided the homes and seized electronic equipment from entities named in the Johnson’s suit, no charges have ever been filed and no arrests have been made in connection with the investigation.