Charity Johnson (Goodwin) was found guilty on May 19, 2023, after a 5-day jury trial, but sentencing was deferred so that a Pre-Sentence Investigation could be completed by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Today, Carroll County Circuit Court Judge Fred S. Hecker sentenced Charity Johnson (Godwin) to life plus life plus 55 years in the Department of Correction for the kidnapping, armed robbery, and murder of Prakash “Joey” Rampatsingh on June 24, 2014. During sentencing, Judge Hecker pointed out two particularly disturbing facts from the case: first, that the Victim was kind to the Defendant, and that may have made him an easier target, and second, that Defendant held Mr. Rampatsingh against his will for well over three hours, and that he knew that Tuesday would likely be his last day on earth. The facts established at trial were that on June 24, 2014, the Defendant Johnson and her then boyfriend, lured their landlord, Mr. Rampatsingh, to their home in Baltimore City. The pair then kidnapped him and forced him, as a passenger in his own truck, to withdraw money from his account at an automated teller machine in Parkton, Maryland. They then drove Mr. Rampatsingh to his home in Hanover, Pennsylvania, with the intent to steal $40,000 that the victim was known to keep in his freezer. They then drove the Victim to a cell-tower access road on Falls Road in Hampstead, Maryland, where they proceeded to shoot him in the back of the head, killing him, and then left him by the side of the road. Mr. Rampatsingh’s truck was later found abandoned in the suburbs of Washington D.C. Police investigation revealed the Victim’s truck was captured by police surveillance equipment traveling in the direction of the District of Columbia, with a sport utility vehicle known to be used by the Defendant Johnson traveling ahead of it.

“Justice for Joey has been served at long last,” remarked Carroll County State’s Attorney Haven Shoemaker, “and Judge’s Hecker’s sentencing of Johnson speaks volumes regarding her culpability in committing a callous and cold-blooded murder for money.” The Office of the State’s Attorney for Carroll County was represented by Deputy State’s Attorney Sandra L. Johnson.  The case was investigated by Detective Anthony Dubas (retired) of the Maryland State Police along with members of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and the Westminster Police Department.  

For more information please contact:

Office of the State’s Attorney for Carroll County
Phone:  410-386-2671
Fax:  410-876-9286
Email:  ccstatesattorney@carrollcountymd.gov