Misdemeanor Theft Charges Against USC’s Keyshawn Johnson Dropped
Keyshawn Johnson, a USC receiver, was cleared of misdemeanor charges of grand theft and petty theft Monday when his case was dismissed in Van Nuys Municipal Court.
Prosecutors were unable to find the victim and could not proceed with the trial, said Richard Smith of the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office.
Johnson pleaded not guilty last month after The Times revealed there was a warrant issued for him in connection with the theft of a $900 portable telephone and a $400 pager from a Van Nuys electronics store in 1991.
“From the get-go, he has always denied he did this,” said Johnson’s attorney, Michael C. Carney. “He had no use for the phone and it wouldn’t have been him.”
Johnson declined comment through a USC spokesman.
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