Melody Felicano Johnson, a 40-year-old Arizona woman, recently pleaded guilty to poisoning her Air Force husband by putting trace amounts of bleach into his coffee maker on two separate occasions in July 2023. Despite originally being charged with attempted first-degree murder and other offenses, she was instead given a probation sentence that includes mandatory mental health treatment and a no-contact order with her husband without legal counsel present. The couple, who have a child together, were going through a divorce at the time of the incidents.
The situation unfolded over several months, with the husband, Roby Johnson, first noticing something wrong with his coffee in Germany while stationed there with his family. After discovering high levels of chlorine in his drink, he suspected his wife was tampering with it. Upon returning to the US, he set up a camera in their temporary housing near Davis Monthan Air Force Base and caught Melody on video pouring bleach into the coffee machine. Despite reporting this to the police, they did not take action until he provided further evidence of her actions.
Roby’s suspicions were further confirmed when the new footage showed Melody adding bleach to the coffee machine before brewing it. This ultimately led to her arrest and subsequent guilty plea to two counts of poisoning food or drink. During the proceedings, it was revealed that Roby believed his wife’s motive was to kill him in order to collect death benefits. The entire ordeal stemmed from their deteriorating relationship and impending divorce, which added a layer of complexity to the case.
Throughout the process, Roby took measures to protect himself and gather evidence against his wife, including conducting tests on the coffee and setting up surveillance equipment. His reluctance to report Melody’s actions while in Germany highlights the fear and uncertainty he experienced. By involving law enforcement and providing clear video evidence of her actions, he was able to ensure that she was held accountable for her actions, ultimately leading to her guilty plea and sentencing.
The decision to avoid jail time and instead sentence Melody to probation and mental health treatment underscored the complexity of the case and the factors involved. The situation sheds light on the challenges faced by victims of domestic abuse and the lengths they may need to go to in order to seek justice. Amidst the turmoil of a marriage falling apart, the safety and well-being of individuals involved can be put in jeopardy, necessitating legal intervention and protective measures to ensure accountability and prevent further harm. Ultimately, the resolution of this case serves as a cautionary tale and a reminder of the importance of addressing issues of domestic abuse and ensuring the safety of individuals involved.
