Two years in prison given to Kansas woman for witness retaliation plot

OMAHA, Neb. -- After being convicted of a witness retaliation plot, a Kansas woman was sentenced to prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr said 38-year-old Juanita Gibson, originally of Kansas, was sentenced in federal court in Omaha on Tuesday. She was convicted for conspiracy to assault a witness and attempted assault of a witness. Gibson will serve 24 months in prison with a three-year term of supervised release after. There is no parole in the federal system.

Court documents state that Johnny Dolph was being investigated by the United States Secret Service for financial crimes to include crimes involving counterfeit currency and checks in fall 2021. Dolph claims to be a “shot caller” in the Irish Mob Gang, a street gang from Oklahoma. In September 2021, Victim 1’s husband was arrested in Nebraska for forgery counts. Victim 1’s husband was coming to Nebraska to help Dolph in his forgery activities. Following Victim 1’s husband’s arrest, Dolph and Jennifer Norwood A/K/A Jennifer Dolph began contacting Victim 1 trying to prevent her from cooperating with law enforcement. Dolph believed Victim 1 and Victim 1’s husband were working with law enforcement. As a result, Dolph put a “green light” on Victim 1 and her husband.

Officials said In October 2021, a search warrant was used for Dolph’s apartment in Omaha. Dolph and Norwood began researching the affiant agent and magistrate judge listed on the search warrant. Dolph and Norwood also reached out to individuals outside of Nebraska providing information about Victim 1, where Victim 1 resides, and where family members of Victim 1 lived.

According to authorities, Dolph contacted Kate Ruth A/K/A Kate Winter A/K/A Kate Hill and requested that she travel from Kansas to Omaha on Nov. 19, 2021, to try to carry out his “green light” on Victim 1. Dolph told Ruth to go to Greyhound and try to pick up a ticket that was bought in a third party’s name. Ruth was instead driven to Nebraska from Kansas by Gibson. Gibson got a red pickup truck to drive her and Ruth to Omaha. During the drive to Nebraska, Dolph sent Gibson and Ruth money for gas over CashApp, inquired to the status of their travel, and provided directions on where to park once they arrived at his apartment.

Court documents state that Dolph and Norwood let Gibson and Ruth stay at their apartment in Omaha. While there, Dolph, Norwood, Gibson, and Ruth researched Victim 1. On Sept. 2, 2022, Gibson was interviewed by the United States Secret Service and admitted to coming to Nebraska with Ruth at Dolph’s request. Gibson admitted that the purpose of the trip was to find a female that Dolph was looking for.

Officials said the person from Kansas was sentenced in 2022 to time-served after serving a nine-month sentence for possession of counterfeit currency and possession of a document making implement or authentication feature and is currently serving a five-year term of supervised release. On Aug. 17, Dolph was sentenced to a total of 150 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a firearm following a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; 2 counts of false statement during the purchase of a firearm; conspiracy to tamper with documents or proceedings; tampering with documents or proceedings; 2 counts of conspiracy to assault a witness; and 2 counts for attempted assault of a witness. On Nov. 14, Norwood pleaded guilty to making false statements during the purchase of a firearm, conspiracy to destroy evidence, and conspiracy to assault a witness. Ruth is currently pending trial and are presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the Omaha Police Department, and the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.