Charges dropped against man accused in Wilmington assault of Michigan woman
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY-TV) — Charges have been dropped against a Cumberland County man who was accused of assaulting and strangling a Michigan woman visiting Wilmington, according to the New Hanover County District Attorney’s Office.
The office confirmed Friday that charges against 27-year-old Dillon Garza were dismissed because there was insufficient evidence to warrant prosecution and because evidence supported his alibi.
The decision comes days after Garza was charged with felony assault by strangulation and felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury in connection with an attack that left 22-year-old Savannah Johnson with life-altering injuries.
Johnson, a Michigan native, had been staying in Wilmington for just 17 days before the assault occurred, according to her mother, Amanda Johnson.
“She just graduated from college and she came here to stay with my sister-in-law and her kids,” Amanda Johnson said.
The family said Savannah traveled to Wilmington to explore job opportunities and determine whether she wanted to relocate permanently.
“We got her a month-long ticket and she was going to fly back home, and if she found a job then she wanted to move here,” her mother said.
According to court documents, investigators initially alleged that Garza assaulted and strangled Johnson at a Wilmington residence Sunday morning while she was home alone.
“It was an intrusion. She was home alone because everybody else was at work and she didn’t have a job yet, and it was in the morning hours,” Amanda Johnson said.
An arrest warrant alleged the assault caused severe injuries to Johnson’s neck, throat and mid-spine.
Amanda Johnson said her daughter was paralyzed following the attack and required emergency spinal surgery. She was also placed on a ventilator because she was struggling to breathe.
“Everything she does is with her hands. She can’t even move them,” Amanda Johnson said. “She told the doctor, ‘Please save my arms, so I can work.’ Before surgery, she told the doctor, ‘I’m an artist and I need to be able to use my arms and hands.'”
The family said Johnson suffered a fractured vertebra, severe throat damage and ongoing breathing difficulties.
Now without a suspect, there is even more uncertainty for Savannah and the parents who put their life on hold in Michigan to care for her.
“My husband and I had to leave our jobs and everything. I mean, we can’t work now, we can’t,” Amanda Johnson said. “It sounds like we’re going be here for a long, long time, the doctor said. So, I don’t know what that means.”
The District Attorney’s Office said it will not provide additional comment on the case at this time.
Anyone with information about the assault is asked to contact 910-343-3600.
Fundraisers have been established to help support Johnson and her family as she continues her recovery.
