Johnson Enters Guilty Plea to First Degree Murder

On November 9, 2020, David Harold Johnson entered a guilty plea to three charges involving the killing of Rose Marie Long, age 71, of Prince Frederick, Maryland.  Judge Mark S. Chandlee of the Circuit Court for Calvert County accepted Mr. Johnson’s guilty plea to first degree premediated murder, first degree rape, and motor vehicle theft.  The murder and rape charges each carry a punishment of life imprisonment.  The theft charge carries a maximum of five years imprisonment and/or a $5,000.00 fine.  Sentencing is scheduled for January 11, 2021.

Johnson, age 49, was residing in Calvert County on Sunday, June 7, 2020, when he entered Ms. Long’s home on Stafford Road in Prince Frederick.  Once inside, he raped Ms. Long and strangled her to death using a cell phone charging cord.  He then stole her vehicle and left the area.

Mr. Johnson was identified as the assailant using Ring doorbell video obtained from Ms. Long’s home.  A lookout was broadcast.  On June 9, 2020, a concerned citizen spotted Mr. Johnson driving Ms. Long’s vehicle on Route 4 in the vicinity of Skinner’s Turn Road.  He called the police, and Johnson was arrested by Sheriff’s Office deputies a short time later.  He ultimately admitted his involvement to detectives from the Maryland State Police.

Johnson was also identified as the perpetrator through DNA samples obtained from the body of Ms. Long.

The case was prosecuted by Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert H. Harvey, Jr.  Mr. Harvey wishes to thank Cpl. Kyle Simms of the Maryland State Police and his investigative team for their thoroughness, attention to detail, and dedication to the pursuit of justice in this case.