Michigan man accused of sexually abusing a dog has died

EAST TAWAS, MI — In the fall, a Bay City man alerted police after discovering a video of his father sexually abusing a dog. The alleged abuser left the state before he could be arrested, but was caught in Alabama and extradited north to face charges.

The defendant has since died before his case could be concluded.

Michael J. Johnston, 64, was taken from the Iosco County Jail to a local hospital on June 24. He had complained of a headache, said his son, Chris Johnston.

Michael Johnston died in hospital the same day. A coroner determined he died of a rare brain infection, his son said.

Michael Johnston has been in the Iosco County Jail since May 18 on nine charges: two counts each of sodomy with a dog, possession of child sexually abusive material and aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material, as well as three counts of computer use to commit a crime.

Chris Johnston called the police in November after his three-year-old son showed him his grandfather’s tablet. The boy had come across a video on the device that showed a man having sex with a dog.

Chris Johnston recognized the man in the video as his father and the dog as Odin, his father’s black and white boxer-pit bull mix. He took the tablet from his son and called 911.

While the police investigation was ongoing, Michael Johnston left Michigan for Alabama, where another relative lives, his son said. Chris Johnston told police his father might be headed to that area.

When investigators searched the tablet, they found material about child sexual abuse and evidence that Michael Johnston was involved in an online sex ring, said Iosco County Prosecutor James A. Bacarella.

According to records, police in Colbert County, Alabama, arrested Michael Johnston on April 24 on charges of fugitive from justice.