Suspect in 2011 murder of Wilmington teen pleads guilty

BOLIVIA, NC (WWAY) — The suspect in the 2011 murder of a Wilmington teen pleaded guilty in a Brunswick County courtroom today.

Al’qoun Flowers, 17, went missing in 2011. His remains were found in a wooded area near Leland on November 5.

Alan Johnson (Photo: StarNews)

Alan “LA” Johnson, 26, led investigators to the area off Mount Misery Road to help them locate the body. Several weeks later investigators announced the remains were positively identified as Flowers.

“We got some closure now,” Flowers’ dad, Gary Hines, said.

Johnson was always a suspect in the teen’s disappearance but never charged. He is currently in prison serving a 50-year sentence on robbery charges.

“After this many years, the hardest part was just knowing that he was out there laying somewhere,” Hines said.

In court Tuesday afternoon, Johnson pleaded guilty to second degree murder. He will serve a maximum of 15 years after his current sentence.

“We weren’t happy about the time he got, but for the most part we got our son back,” Hines said. “We buried him properly the way we wanted to and that’s what we were after.”

Each family member got a chance to speak to Johnson in court today. It was very emotional, but each family member told him one final thing.

“Oh, I forgive him,” Hines said.

Johnson will served his 15 year sentence after his other sentences.