Prosecuting Attorney Chris Walton announced that Catera Lewis, of Louisville, Kentucky, entered guilty pleas to murder in the second degree and robbery on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Circuit Judge Josh Farmer accepted the State’s recommendation and sentenced Lewis to 35 years in the Division of Correction. Lewis was the second suspect to plead guilty for the death of Milton Johnson. Her accomplice, Matthew Gibson, also of Louisville, pled guilty in July and received the same 35 year prison sentence.
Read the details below.
On August 22, 2023, Lewis and Gibson rented a one bedroom short-term rental property in Bryant. They were scheduled to leave the property that day, but did not have a car. Ms. Lewis encouraged Mr. Gibson to go to local businesses early that morning to steal a car.
At the same time, Lewis and Johnson, the victim, were texting. Johnson, of North Little Rock, went to the rental to see Ms. Lewis. By the time Mr. Johnson arrived, Mr. Gibson had returned to the rental.
Johnson brought a gun with him. In less than a few minutes, Gibson was able to disarm Johnson, shoot, and kill him. Johnson was repeatedly shot in the back and side.
Lewis and Gibson immediately fled the scene in Johnson’s car. Gibson and Lewis were arrested later that day in Houston, Texas. They were found with Johnson’s gun.
Bryant Police Detectives Shanna Hastings and Pam Mays travelled to Houston to investigate and interview Lewis and Gibson. Ms. Lewis gave at least three different versions of events, some accusing the victim of trying to force himself on her, before she admitted that Gibson was the shooter.
Lewis had been arrested in Hot Spring County a few months prior to the murder for fleeing from an Arkansas State trooper. She was sentenced to 3 years in prison for that offense in August.
Walton thanked the Bryant Police Department for their work, particularly Hastings, Mays, and Det. Rachelle Kling. Walton added, “These officers did an excellent job investigating the case. They used every resource to locate Lewis and Gibson after they fled Bryant. Their quick work led to Lewis’s and Gibson’s apprehension in Houston.
“The Houston Police Department cooperated fully and assisted in bringing these two to justice. I am sorry that Lewis’s and Gibson’s actions resulted in the loss of Mr. Johnson and I extend my condolences to Mr. Johnson’s family.”