Order — United States v. Diana Lynn Johnson (Middle District of Florida, Document 53)

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An Order in United States v. Diana Lynn Johnson and Roger Christopher Johnson, Case No. 8:26-cr-16-CEH-LSG, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, Document 53, filed September 10, 2026. The Court grants Roger Christopher Johnson's Motion for a Hearing to Determine the Linguistic Competency of the Defendant (Doc. 40) and Diana Lynn Johnson's Motion for Linguistic Competency Evaluation (Doc. 44), and appoints Jean F. Andrews, Ph.D., to examine both defendants. The order recites that the defendants were arrested on April 30, 2024, on a sealed indictment from the Eastern District of Texas under 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) (Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering), and that counsel assert both were born deaf. It directs Dr. Andrews to submit a written report within 30 days.

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“Order — United States v. Diana Lynn Johnson (Middle District of Florida, Document 53).” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/court-filing-no-8-26-cr-00016-dkt-53-m-d-fla-0acd9e16b1/, SHA-256 3ee81dc42f6eb86d9c6fa7f8ada8af5298c3ff48c17e30b0ee5eca6b3b413649.

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Case 8:26-cr-00016-CEH-LSG Document 53 Filed 09/10/26 Page 1 of 5 PageID 269

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TAMPA DIVISION

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

v. CASE NO: 8:26-cr-16-CEH-LSG

DIANA LYNN JOHNSON and
ROGER CHRISOPHER JOHNSON
___________________________________/

ORDER

This matter comes before the Court upon Defendant Roger Christopher

Johnson’s Motion for a Hearing to Determine the Linguistic Competency of the

Defendant Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4241 (Doc. 40) and Diana Lynn Johnson’s Motion

for Linguistic Competency Evaluation (Doc. 44). 1 The Motions ask the Court to

appoint an expert to examine Defendants for linguistic competency.

On April 30, 2024, Diana Lynn Johnson and Roger Christopher Johnson were

arrested for violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) (Conspiracy to Commit Money

Laundering) in a sealed indictment from the United States District Court for the

Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division (6:22-cr-00159-JCB-KNM). Doc. 1. On May

9, 2024, the Eastern District of Texas appointed Assistant Federal Public Defender

Kenneth Robert Hawk, II, and Attorney Bobby D. Mims (collectively “Texas

Counsel”) to represent Diana Lynn Johnson and Roger Christopher Johnson

respectively. Texas Counsel met with Defendants in person with the assistance of an

1
The Government does not oppose either motion. See Docs. 43, 49.
Case 8:26-cr-00016-CEH-LSG Document 53 Filed 09/10/26 Page 2 of 5 PageID 270

American Sign Language (“ASL”) interpreter. Texas Counsel performed extensive

research concerning litigation involving deaf and hearing-impaired clients, which led

to a concern about Defendants’ linguistic competency. Accordingly, on June 19, 2025,

Texas Counsel filed a Joint Suggestion of Linguistic Incompetence and Request for

the Funding of an Expert to Examine the Defendants. On July 7, 2025, the Eastern

District of Texas granted the motion.

The linguistic competency evaluation was not completed in Texas, as this case

was transferred from the Eastern District of Texas to the Middle District of Florida on

January 23, 2026. Doc. 17. On June 16, 2026, the Court held a status conference and

ordered Counsel to submit a new motion for a linguistic competency evaluation. Doc.

37.

Counsel for both Defendants assert that communication with Defendants is

challenging because both Defendants were born deaf and communicate only in writing

or through an ASL interpreter. Counsel believe that Defendants may not understand

the trial process with enough competence to stand trial. Counsel seek an ASL expert

in linguistics and trial procedures who can conduct an examination for linguistic

competence. Counsel for both Defendants move the Court to appoint Dr. Jean

Andrews of Beaumont, TX, as an expert to examine the defendants for linguistic

competence. Dr. Andrews is a recognized expert in Speech and Hearing Sciences and

Linguistics. She has experience in linguistic competency evaluations of deaf litigants

and defendants in federal and state courts.

2
Case 8:26-cr-00016-CEH-LSG Document 53 Filed 09/10/26 Page 3 of 5 PageID 271

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4241, the Court finds reason to believe that Defendants

Diana Lynn Johnson and Roger Christopher Johnson may not be able to understand

the nature and consequences of the proceedings against them or to properly assist in

their respective defenses.

Accordingly, it is ORDERED:

1. Defendant Roger Christopher Johnson’s Motion for a Hearing to

Determine the Linguistic Competency of the Defendant Pursuant to 18

U.S.C. § 4241 (Doc. 40) is GRANTED.

2. Defendant Diana Lynn Johnson’s Motion for Linguistic Competency

Evaluation (Doc. 44) is GRANTED.

3. Jean F. Andrews, Ph.D., is hereby APPOINTED to examine

Defendants Roger Christopher Johnson and Diana Lynn Johnson.

4. The aforesaid examination is for the purpose of determining if each

defendant is linguistically competent to be able to understand the

proceedings against him/her and properly assist in his/her own defense.

The criteria to be applied for the purpose of rendering the opinion

requested is whether each defendant has sufficient present ability to

consult with his/her lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational

understanding, and whether each defendant has a rational, as well as

factual, understanding of the proceedings against him/her. The report

should also include

3
Case 8:26-cr-00016-CEH-LSG Document 53 Filed 09/10/26 Page 4 of 5 PageID 272

a. the person's history and present symptoms,

b. description of any psychiatric, psychological, medical, or linguistic

tests that were employed and their results, and

c. the examiner's findings.

5. Dr. Andrews shall submit a written report of her findings within 30 days

to United States District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell, 801 North

Florida Avenue, Sam M. Gibbons United States Courthouse, Tampa, FL

33602; with copies mailed to Assistant United States Attorney Courtney

Derry, 400 North Tampa Street, Suite 3200, Tampa, FL 33602; defense

counsel Patrick N. Leduc, Law Offices of Patrick Leduc, P.A., 4809 E.

Busch Blvd. Suite 204, Tampa, FL 33647; and Assistant Federal Public

Defender Yamilette Alvarez, 400 North Tampa Street Suite 2700,

Tampa, FL 33603.

6. The Clerk shall mail a copy of this Order to Dr. Andrews at 1255 19th

Street, Beaumont, TX 77706. Dr. Andrews’ telephone number is (409)

351-5216. The statement for Dr. Andrews’ services shall be sent to the

Office of the United States Attorney, 400 North Tampa Street, Suite

3200, Tampa, FL 33602.

DONE AND ORDERED in Tampa, Florida on September 10, 2026.

4
Case 8:26-cr-00016-CEH-LSG Document 53 Filed 09/10/26 Page 5 of 5 PageID 273

Copies to: Counsel of Record and Unrepresented Parties, if any

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