Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of CLYDE JOHNSON, 26, of Fair Lawn, NJ on charges of false public alarm. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck.
In March 2024, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit and Intelligence and Counterterrorism Unit initiated an investigation into a pattern of anonymous hoax phone calls and emails directed to crisis centers, local businesses, and law enforcement agencies regarding an individual armed with a deadly weapon or explosive. The investigation revealed that in January, March and April 2024, CLYDE JOHNSON made false reports via phone and email affecting locations and law enforcement agencies in Bergen County, NJ, specifically Franklin Lakes, Paramus, Wyckoff, Maywood, Fair Lawn, Fort Lee, and Bergenfield.
As a result of the investigation, CLYDE JOHNSON was charged with four counts of second-degree false public alarm, N.J.S.A 2C:33-3a(1)(b); third-degree attempted false public alarm, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(1) / 2C:33-3a(1)(b); and third-degree false public alarm, N.J.S.A 2C:33-3a(1)(a).
With the coordination and assistance of the New York City Police Department and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, CLYDE JOHNSON was arrested on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Queens, New York. JOHNSON was remanded to the Queens County Jail, awaiting extradition to New Jersey.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Musella thanks the Paramus, Wyckoff, Maywood, Fair Lawn, Fort Lee, Bergenfield, Franklin Lakes, and New York City Police Departments, as well as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance.