Inmate fails to return to Coralville work release site

CORALVILLE - Alajuwon S. Johnson, 27, who pleaded guilty in the December 2009 death of an Iowa City woman, has been placed on escape status after failing to return to a work release facility in Coralville.

The Iowa Department of Corrections said Saturday that Johnson was allowed to leave Hope House on June 13 to find a job. He was due back from the furlough Friday, but he never arrived.

Johnson is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 156 pounds. He has tattoos on his upper left arm and left forearm.

Johnson was serving a five-year sentence for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Kylie Jo Perkins, 20. Police said he was visiting Perkins at her apartment at 1527 Aber Ave. on Dec. 30, 2009, when the two fought for possession of a gun Johnson was illegally carrying.

Perkins was shot in the chest, police said. Investigators said Johnson admitted he did not contact emergency officials right away, despite Perkins pleading for help, because he had warrants out for his arrest on misdemeanor charges.

Johnson eventually asked a friend to call for help and left with his handgun. The caller told police that a robbery had happened at another address, 1227 Aber Ave., which delayed emergency responders.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.