Former Pasco High athlete gets probation

Issac Johnson, 34, receives two years on a charge of possession of marijuana.

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 1, 2008

DADE CITY - Issac Johnson has a history of getting second chances. His latest came Thursday, when Pasco High School's state-title-winning quarterback avoided prison and was sentenced to two years of probation for a 2007 charge of possession of marijuana.

Johnson is best known for what happened to him the night before Pasco beat Tampa's Jesuit High, 28-16, for the 1992 Class 3A championship.

Johnson was arrested before the title game on a long-outstanding warrant for violating his probation on a robbery charge.

He was freed in time to play in that game, but he has been in and out of legal trouble in the years since and lost a scholarship opportunity at Florida A&M University.

In court Thursday, Circuit Judge Pat Siracusa warned Johnson that if he violates his probation this time, the 34-year-old father of five will not avoid a prison sentence. Johnson could get up to five years behind bars if he lets this chance go by him.

[Last modified January 31, 2008, 21:39:25]