Man who attacked women with knife along Cultural Trail sentenced to 87 years in prison

INDIANAPOLIS — A man who preyed upon women on the Cultural Trail in downtown Indianapolis and stabbed them with a knife will serve more than 80 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony crimes.

In June of 2020, Victor Johnson was charged with 22 counts relating to the stabbing of multiple women in downtown Indianapolis. Johnson assaulted his victims with a steak knife over a two-day span in the area of the Cultural Trail.

All three of Johnson’s victims claimed he made “advances” on them, asking them for hugs and to hook up. All three refused, leading to Johnson to attack them with a steak knife.

“I just want to spend fifteen minutes with you,” he allegedly told one of the victims before stabbing her multiple times.

One of the women had been resting on a blanket at Veterans Memorial Plaza when Johnson approached and attacked her.

Several witnesses ended up chasing down Johnson after one of the attacks and detained him until police officers arrived and arrested him.

Johnson would go on to plead guilty to 11 of his 22 criminal counts. His guilty pleas included attempted murder, attempted rape, criminal confinement, battery by means of a deadly weapon and more.

On Friday, Johnson was sentenced to 87 years in prison as a result of his guilty pleas.

“We are grateful to the courageous survivors who came forward and shared their stories, which ultimately put us in a position to hold the defendant accountable for his heinous actions,” said Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears. “I commend the prosecutors, victim advocates, and investigators for securing justice and ensuring the safety of our community.”

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