OROVILLE, Calif. – A repeat offender from Oroville has been sentenced to four years in state prison after being convicted of felony shoplifting under California’s newly strengthened Proposition 36 law.
Hugh Alfred Johnson Jr., 42, was found guilty in July of shoplifting with two or more prior theft convictions. The jury reached its decision after just an hour of deliberations, citing Johnson’s seven petty theft convictions in the past two years and two prior serious felony strikes from 2006.
According to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey, the most recent incident occurred on February 26, 2025, at the Home Depot in Oroville. The store’s loss prevention officer immediately recognized Johnson due to his repeated shoplifting attempts.
Oroville Police reviewed surveillance footage and confirmed Johnson’s identity based on numerous previous theft-related encounters. Officers located him the following day in a local park, still in possession of the stolen items.
Under the revised provisions of Proposition 36, individuals with multiple theft convictions can now face felony charges—even if the value of stolen goods is under $950. Johnson’s criminal history made him eligible for enhanced penalties.
The jury also acknowledged Johnson’s two prior strike convictions for voluntary manslaughter and assault with a firearm, dating back to 2006. These strikes doubled the standard two-year sentence to four years under California’s Three Strikes law.
At sentencing, both the prosecution and probation department recommended a six-year term. However, Judge Kimberly Merrifield set the sentence at four years.
District Attorney Ramsey emphasized that the case illustrates how Proposition 36 is changing the landscape for repeat property crime offenders.
