Harris County Judge Kelli Johnson becomes ‘combative’ with officers during a welfare check at her home, sources say

HOUSTON, Texas – Harris County Judge Kelli Johnson, who is charged with driving while intoxicated and faces a judicial complaint, was taken to a mental health facility Thursday evening, multiple sources confirmed with KPRC 2 Investigates.

• Who is Judge Kelli Johnson?

A Harris County Court System source tells KPRC 2 Investigates, “Officers were called for a welfare check. When officers showed up, she became combative. A ‘to be’ warrant was provided to HPD to have her taken to a mental health facility.”

Other sources, including a senior member of Houston Police, confirm that the judge was taken into custody on a mental health warrant.

Once stabilized, sources say, Johnson, who presides over the 178th District Court, could face charges.

But, Johnson’s defense attorney, Chris Tritico, said “She was not arrested. I do not believe she will be charged with a new offense.”

• 3 notable cases Harris County Judge Kelli Johnson presided over recently: The last she says, ‘haunted her mind’

This is the latest in a series of incidents, including a previous arrest and charge, in recent weeks.

On Wednesday evening, KPRC 2 Investigates reported that Johnson’s longtime court reporter, Gail Rolen, had filed a judicial complaint against the judge telling reporter Rilwan Balogun, “Enough is enough.”

• Harris Co. Judge Kelli Johnson’s cases reassigned; her long-time court reporter files complaint

And shortly before that, we learned that all of Johnson’s cases had been reassigned indefinitely.

This week’s news follows two run-ins with authorities. In June, Johnson was pulled over by an officer with the Houston Police Department, where she was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor charge.

• Harris Co. Judge Kelli Johnson’s attorney blames ‘medical episode’ for DWI arrest

Days after she was charged and posted bond, her attorney, Christopher L. Tritico, sent a statement to KPRC 2 saying his client was not intoxicated when she was pulled over in the 11600 block of Hempstead Road by the HPD officer, and that she volunteered to take a breath test.

Tritico said his client’s breath test came back 0.0, which means no alcohol was found in her system.

• Have you ever appeared in Judge Kelli Johnson’s court? Share your experience

Before that, the 52-year-old was pulled over by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. This was at the time she was overseeing the Brian Coulter trial. A field sobriety test was administered and she was issued a speeding warning.

• ‘I hope those 3 boys haunt you’ Houston judge tells child murderer Brian Coulter who killed girlfriend’s 8-year-old son