Man accused of trying to electrocute woman with toaster

WASILLA — A Houston man has been arrested after first trying to electrocute a woman and then holding a gun to her head.

Wasilla police were called to the home on Lone Cub Drive shortly before 2:30 a.m. Jan. 4, according to an affidavit officer Jason Holmgren filed in the case.

There, police talked to the woman, who said Joe Johnston, 49, woke her up and started arguing with her. She tried to leave to have a smoke, but he wouldn’t let her, she told police. She then tried to climb into a loft to retrieve a tape recorder and document the things he was saying to her. She told police Johnston grabbed her off the ladder and threw her onto the floor.

The woman said Johnston filled the kitchen sink with water and tossed in a toaster. Johnston started trying to pull her into the water and she grabbed the door of the refrigerator.

He threw her into the water on the floor, the woman told police, a situation that terrified her.

She also said he then followed her into the back bedroom and pulled out a gun, forcing it into her hand and holding it to her head. He pushed her to the ground and she saw a cell phone, which she used to dial 911.

The woman told police that even while she was on the phone with dispatchers Johnston was pointing a gun at her head saying, “Either you do it or I will.”

Police also talked to Johnston, whose comments received one line in Holmgren’s affidavit.

“Johnston stated he did not do any of the above statements,” the officer wrote.

Johnston was arrested, charged with one count of assault. He was jailed at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility without bail conditions set. Prison records Monday evening showed he was still there.