Johns gets emotional, apologizes in court appearance

IOWA CITY - The Coralville man who triggered a weekend Amber Alert earlier this month declared his innocence during an emotional court appearance Thursday morning.

Kenneth Johns, who is facing a second-degree kidnapping charge, appeared to cry throughout his initial appearance. Johns also told the judge he was 'innocent” and that he was sorry for behaving badly during a court appearance last week. At that time he flipped off the judge and spit in his paperwork while loudly voicing his displeasure with the proceedings.

Johns is accused of abducting his stepdaughter from a family member's home in Solon on March 7. The 10-year-old girl was eventually turned over to authorities in the early morning hours of March 8 by a third party. Johns was arrested after a standoff with Davenport police later that day.

In addition to the kidnapping charge, Johns faces a slew of other charges. The judge set Johns' bond at $100,000 for the kidnapping charge. He was already being held without bond for a parole violation.

SEE ALSO: Coralville police: Johns threatened wife with loaded handgun days before abduction