Christoval Man Arrested for Kidnapping a Woman & Threatening Her with a Bat

CHRISTOVAL— A Christoval man has been arrested on kidnapping charges after taking a woman against her will and threatening her with a baseball bat.

Gerald Don Johnston, 57, has been arrested for Aggravated Kidnapping with a Deadly Weapon.

According to court documents, on August 13, 2023, at 9:42 p.m., a Sergeant with the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the 3900 block of McKee Street in Christoval, Texas in reference to an aggravated kidnapping that had taken place.

The Sergeant spoke with the victim who said that Johnston came to her residence at about 7:00 p.m. and threatened to damager her vehicle with a baseball bat because she was not talking to him. 

The victim stated she and Johnston separated in March 2023 and that she had received numerous messages from him before he arrived at her house. Johnston allegedly sent the victim several messages that say:

• “Good u keep me blocked. You’ve lied to me for the last time. It’s on.”
• “Crimes against me are heavily punished.”
• “Don’t replay again (victim). You started this now I’m ending it.”
• “I’m sick of you not replaying and I’m sick of your f**** lies so you better F**** come down her tonight because I “guarant” f***** kill you it’s not a f**** threat.”
• “Will you come outside please.”

The last message was sent when Johnston was outside the residence.

The victim went outside to speak with Johnston who said he “should’ve killed” her a long time ago. Johnston exited his vehicle with a baseball bat and swung it in the air above his head, acting like he was going to strike the windows of her vehicle.

Then, Johnston told her to get into his pickup, something she did thinking he would stop. She was also in fear of being hurt by Johnston. The victim did not know if Johnston would cause her or her children physical harm and, in the past, had gone with him to calm him down. Johnston has allegedly grabbed the victim by the throat and thrown her around in the past as well.

Once inside the pickup, Johnston drove the woman to his residence in Christoval and refused to let her leave. She asked several times and Johnston stood in the doorway telling her she was not allowed to leave. After about 30 minutes, Johnston drove the victim back to her residence and let her go.

Johnston was arrested and charged with Aggravated Kidnapping with a Deadly Weapon. He was booked into the Tom Green County Jail on August 15, 2023, and is currently and inmate on $150,000 bond.