Greenfield’s embattled police chief is facing even more legal heat. Jay Johnson, 58, was hit in Milwaukee County court yesterday with additional criminal counts, including two new felonies and a misdemeanor, in a case that has already sidelined him from the job. He remains on paid administrative leave while everything plays out in court.
Prosecutors added two felony counts — destroying data (as a party to a crime) and felony bail jumping — along with a misdemeanor count of resisting or obstructing an officer, according to FOX6 News Milwaukee. In court, they said they believe Johnson tried to steer the Greenfield Police Department’s investigation by directing his fiancée, Pamela Mischo, to file a complaint with the city’s human resources office. Mischo has not been charged. Prosecutors also asked the judge for a no-contact order between Johnson and Mischo, saying it was needed for trial logistics and witness safety.
Johnson’s attorney, Jacob Manian, pushed back on that account in court and argued that a no-contact order would violate Johnson’s due-process rights, as reported by WISN 12 News. Manian has previously challenged the broader allegations that Johnson improperly directed others in the department. The defense maintains that Johnson denies any wrongdoing.
Prosecutors Say City Phone Was Remotely Wiped
Prosecutors told the court that investigators seized a city-issued cellphone that was intentionally and remotely wiped around the time Johnson met with city officials about a potential retirement off-ramp, a claim described in earlier court filings and reported by WTMJ. Local reporting last fall said body-camera footage showed Johnson deleting texts and that he allegedly sent a Facebook message saying, “I wiped my phone.” Those allegations form the basis of the destroying-data count that is now folded into the larger misconduct case.
Background: Pole Camera Outside His Wind Lake Home
The criminal case grew out of accusations that Johnson ordered department staff to install a department-owned pole camera across from his Wind Lake home in late 2024 after being told not to, then used the video feed for personal reasons. That series of allegations was detailed in coverage of his initial court appearance. The city put Johnson on paid administrative leave in April 2025 and removed the pole camera in May, officials say. Acting Chief Eric Lindstrom has been running day-to-day operations while the internal review continues.
Legal Outlook
The added bail-jumping and resisting counts increase Johnson’s potential criminal exposure. Prosecutors had already amended the complaint once to pull the phone-wipe allegations into the case as a destroying-data charge. Local reporting has noted that his total exposure could be significant. WTMJ reported that the previously combined counts carried a theoretical maximum of up to 16 years in prison and $35,000 in fines. Johnson has pleaded not guilty to the original misconduct and destroying-data charges and is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
What Happens Next
In court Wednesday, prosecutors focused on pretrial protections and scheduling, including the request for a no-contact order, according to FOX6 News Milwaukee. The judge will decide on that request and set additional dates. Court records will reflect any formal arraignment on the newly added counts. For now, Johnson remains off the street and on leave while criminal and internal probes move forward. City officials say they plan to let the outside investigation run its course before wrapping up the department’s own review.
