Police say Boardman man shot himself, lied about it, and now faces charges

BOARDMAN — A township man faces multiple charges after police say he falsely reported a robbery after he accidentally shot himself in the hand.

Vernon Johnson, 21, of Prestwick Drive, faces felony charges of being a felon in possession of weapons and receiving stolen property. He is also charged with making false alarms and obstructing official business, both misdemeanors.

The weapons charge stems from the fact that Johnson is under felony indictments in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for possession of cocaine, tampering with evidence, carrying concealed weapons and aggravated possession of drugs and therefore cannot have a weapon, according to a police report.

Johnson was released on bond and is scheduled to appear Tuesday in Mahoning County Area Court here.