Army Husband's Coffee Allegedly Poisoned with Chlorine: Arizona Woman Arrested

By Lucia Paula , Parent Herald Aug 07, 10:44 am

An Arizona woman, identified as Melody Felicano Johnson, has been arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and adding harmful substances to food, drink, or medicine after allegedly attempting to poison her U.S. Army airman husband.

According to FOX News, the shocking incident came to light when the victim, Roby, noticed a strange taste in his coffee while the family was stationed in Germany in March. He later discovered high levels of chlorine in his coffee after conducting tests using pool testing strips.

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According to court documents, Johnson and Roby are in the process of getting a divorce and share a child together. Roby chose to stay silent about his findings while in Germany but took action after they returned to Tucson, Arizona, in late June. He set up a hidden camera in their temporary housing near Davis Monthan Air Force Base to monitor his wife's behavior. The camera allegedly caught her pouring bleach into his coffee.

Despite filing a report with the Tucson Police Department on July 6, no immediate action was taken as the initial video evidence did not conclusively show what liquid was being added to the coffee. This prompted Roby to set up a second camera disguised as a fire alarm. The new footage provided a clear image of Johnson pouring bleach into the coffee machine before brewing, leading to her detention.

Police, upon searching their home, found the coffee machine emitting a bleach odor, and they also discovered a small container in Johnson's personal bathroom that could have contained bleach. The couple had separate bedrooms and bathrooms, as mentioned in court documents.

According to The Guardian, Johnson is currently in jail on a $250,000 bond. The high bail amount was requested because she recently purchased a home in the Philippines, where her family resides. According to local news outlet AZ Family, Roby believes she may have tried to kill him to collect benefits.

This alarming incident sheds light on the importance of vigilance and safety measures, even within personal relationships. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case, and Johnson will face the charges brought against her in court.

The brewing troubles in their marriage appeared to escalate when Roby started noticing a peculiar taste in his coffee during their stay in Germany. Intrigued and concerned, he conducted tests using pool testing strips, which revealed unusually high levels of chlorine in his coffee. Roby made the decision to be cautious and hold off on confronting his wife as a result of these findings.

The couple's relationship took a dangerous turn as Johnson and Roby were going through a divorce, a circumstance that likely contributed to the escalating tension. Court documents suggested that the couple had separate bedrooms and bathrooms, possibly indicating a deteriorating relationship. Amidst these personal struggles, Johnson was accused of taking sinister actions against her husband.

Upon returning to their home in Tucson, Arizona, in late June, Roby took decisive action and installed hidden cameras in their temporary housing near the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. These covert cameras would serve as a means to observe his wife's behavior and potentially provide evidence of her alleged misdeeds.

According to Sky News, the secret cameras captured footage that appeared to corroborate Roby's suspicions. The video allegedly showed Johnson pouring bleach into the coffee machine before brewing the coffee, effectively attempting to poison her husband. Armed with this compelling evidence, Roby filed a report with the Tucson Police Department on July 6.

However, the initial video evidence did not provide a clear view of what liquid Johnson was adding to the coffee, leading to limited progress in the investigation. Unwilling to give up on seeking justice, Roby decided to set up a second camera, discreetly disguised as a fire alarm.

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The second camera proved instrumental in the case, providing a clear and incriminating image of Johnson pouring bleach into the coffee machine. Armed with this additional evidence, Roby returned to the police department on July 18, providing the new footage, which led to Johnson's detention.

Upon conducting a search of their home, the police made additional discoveries that further strengthened the case against Johnson. The coffee machine emitted a distinct bleach odor, and authorities found a small container in Johnson's personal bathroom potentially containing bleach. These findings bolstered the argument that Johnson had indeed attempted to poison her husband.

The severity of the accusations against Johnson prompted a high bail amount of $250,000. The request was partially based on the fact that Johnson recently acquired a property in the Philippines, where her family resides, suggesting potential flight risks.

According to local news outlet AZ Family, Roby believes that Johnson's alleged actions were driven by the desire to collect benefits. The couple's impending divorce and custody arrangements for their child likely contributed to the emotional strain in their relationship.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in personal relationships and the potential dangers that can lurk beneath the surface. Authorities continue to investigate the incident thoroughly, and Johnson will face the charges brought against her in court.

As this chilling case unfolds, it highlights the need for open communication, empathy, and support in relationships, particularly during times of stress and turmoil. Additionally, it underscores the significance of addressing conflicts constructively and seeking appropriate avenues for resolution to prevent tragedies like this from occurring in the future.