Sherry Johnston, Facing Felony Drug Charges, Shouldn't Have Left Alaska To Do Tyra, Prosecutor Says

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The Palmer District Attorney said if he had known just why Sherry Johnston needed to travel outside Alaska he would not have signed off on the trip.

Johnston, who is facing felony drug charges, left Alaska to appear on "The Tyra Banks Show" and "Larry King Live."

Prosecutor Roman Kalytiak said he thought Johnston, who is the mother of Levi Johnson who fathered a child with Bristol Palin, Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter, had something important to do that justified traveling.

Kalytiak said the way the legal motion was worded, it appeared that Johnston needed to travel for important family business. He said he now knows that was not the case.

They "didn't say she was going out of state to appear on various TV shows," he said.

Johnston, 42, appeared on the programs alongside her daughter, Mercede, 17, and 18-year-old son, Levi.

Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston's out-of-wedlock pregnancy was announced while Palin was running for vice president. The two broke up shortly after the December birth of their son, Tripp.

The Johnstons talked on the shows about the rift between their family and the Palins.

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Kalytiak said that people accused of serious crimes who are not in jail awaiting trial are sometimes allowed to travel for unusual circumstances like funerals, medical treatment or other family emergencies.

But of Johnston's trips, he said, "It appears like these appearances are something she's doing as a choice and they certainly aren't necessary to her family or her case."

In December, Johnston was charged with dealing the prescription painkiller OxyContin, a popular but highly addictive recreational drug. Her trial is scheduled to begin May 18.

Kalytiak said Johnston should be thinking about the trial and working on her defense instead of traveling.

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Comments

[jimbeaux1961]

I'll bet the DA's ear is still ringing from that phone call from Sarah.

[NewArtz]

This is a classic battle between the haves and the have nots in a small town rivalry. America has a front row seat to this display because the GOOP creates an adhesive that won't let go. The Bushes and the Palins represent the dark underbelly of our superficiality and mindless pursuit of self. We are this way. Now the show is impacting our society because the power of the privileged is conflicting with the power of the people. Those who represent us are as ordinary as mud, except for a few shining exceptions. Our hope is that, in the last election we elected the latter, and that, overtime, the mud will dry up, turn to dust and be blown away by the winds of change. Sadly there's a still calm in the air, and we could sure use a breath of fresh air.

[redsongia]

Don't all people in Alaska just assume the law doesn't apply to them?

[demimckingwoodtx]

Palin had better watch herself, she has 12 ethic complaints on her, and maybe 13, she thinks she can run Alaska like a dictatorshp and peoples lives like that also. She more than likely called the prosecutor about the Johnson's tv appearances but time is running short for Mrs. Palin

[retromega]

Its pretty easy to see what's really important to this prosecutor. Justice is not mentioned. Protecting the people of Alaska is not mentioned. It would seems that this woman has just as much "family" interest in her Grandson as the other Grandmother, the one who's been milking this whole saga. I wonder what his interest really is here because it would seem his concern is supporting the ambitions of the Palin "family". This reads like another episode of the Godfather. So what's the price of an Alaskan persecuting Attorney these days?

[BJD44]

Hey, this family's gotta make a buck somehow to support themselves now, don't they???

;-)

[stringer]

You mean other than just getting jos like everyone else, right?

[DubyaGump]

Give Sherry a break, she just wanted to go on Tyra to support her son in telling his side of the story.

[vesaversa1]

This have gov. Palin hands written all over it . I though her charges were a misdemeanor . This is a extension to their family feud and abuse of Palin office .

[JumpDownTurnAround]

I thought the very same thing! Palin's prints are all over this!

[whatthel]

The prosecuter probably thinks that since she left Alaska, she left the country.

[nicho]

Can't she get just get sentenced to a super-posh fat farm for "rehab" like Lard-arse Limbaugh did? Why should she face felony charges and not Limpbutt? Oh, that's right. You can't put the leader of the GOP in jail -- no matter what they do.

[kelvinstinks]

I think it is about time to put up the tents over Alaska and get this Three-ring circus really started. Bring in the elephants, but leave the wolves alone.

[JumpDownTurnAround]

Pitch the tents and charge admission!

[akladywolf]

They do charge admission. It's called SarahPac or TeamSarah or the new "Defense Fund".

[faretheewell]

Oooooooooooooh, did he get his wee wee whacked for letting her travel to criticize the Gov? It appears she filed the appropriate paperwork and his office granted permission. Maybe it will help her case by winning contributions to her legal expenses. God knows Sarah is using the media to help fund her legal defense fund.

[bleeplander]

Sarah needs to jump on the band wagon of her grandbaby's other grandma instead of fueling the flames. It will only serve to harm that child in the long run. Why not help your family out instead of ignoring them or throwing stones?

[akladywolf]

It's not to her benefit, so she won't do it.

[rlugbill]

Sounds like the DA has his own political ambitions. Why is he speaking to the press about this? If he has issues, he should address it with opposing counsel and the judge. Instead, he is trying the case in the press.

He knows that if he sounds tough on the governor's enemies, it will help his own career. He is using the Palin media connection to make a name for himself. What is his next step? Judge? Mayor? State government job?

[sshala]

There's an AK Supreme Court opening coming up.

[MadamDeal]

How can the prosecutor be upset after the fact? Sherry left the state to attend to Family business.

Sarah's new Alaska Fund Trust provides legal defense monies for members of the First Family.

I don't know why Piper or Willow would need legal defense but hey, Sarah is all about Family.

Guessing that Sarah wants the Real Americans to provide attorney's fees for Bristol's custody battle with Levi. What could be more "presidential"?

[whatthel]

I wonder if there will be a clothing allowance, in the defense fund?

[sshala]

It's not just for legal defense. It's for any costs related to Palin being governor. She got busted for charging the state for family travel. Now she'll have tax-free money to tote all the family around. Anyone who is designated a beneficiary of the trust gets to withdraw up to $13,000 a year without accounting for it's use. Read the document and then read the fund's homepage and see if they're fairly representing how donations will be used.