The troubled past of Michael James: Speaker Mike Johnson's adopted his son, 40, when he was 14-year-old homeless teen
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Michael T James, 40, was adopted as a teenager by House Speaker Mike Johnson and his wife Kelly, in 1999 after he became homeless. The couple first met James when they were doing charity work for a Christian ministry in Baton Rouge in 1996.
Since leaving the care of his adoptive parents, James has reportedly had multiple run-ins with law enforcement for crimes ranging from drug possession to theft, but he has managed to turn his life around, according to the New York Post.
Michael James' troubles with law enforcement
James was legally an adult when the Johnsons moved from Baton Rouge to Shreveport, the hometown of the Louisiana Republican congressman, in 2002. As a result, he decided to stay behind and live by himself.
The Post reviewed legal records that show James has been arrested more than a dozen times since 2003. In that year, while living in Houston, he was indicted on a theft charge but the case was dismissed in 2013.
In Florida, charges against him included marijuana and cocaine possession, theft, possession of a concealed weapon, violating a protective order, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was twice sentenced to prison, serving 37 days for the possession of cocaine in 2003 and 30 days for retail theft in 2007. James had to take an anger management class mandated by the court in 2017.
During that period, James lived with his biological mother and older brother at times, moving to both Florida and Texas.
Michael James said that he is thankful to Mike Johnson's family
Speaking with the Daily Mail, James said, "If the Johnsons hadn’t taken me in as a teenager, my life would look very different today. I would probably be in prison or I might not have made it at all."
"I always felt loved like I was a part of their family. They have been there for me when I have been lost and in the deepest valleys, and I know it was hard at times to constantly help someone who didn’t always get it right. I thank God all the time for giving them both the strength, patience, and unwavering faith that inspired me to do better and be better."
Johnson reportedly told The Post, "I believe God intended for Michael to be a part of our lives. Kelly and I have always seen him as one of our own. Despite any mistakes he’s made, we love Michael and are blessed to have him in our family.”
In addition to James, the Johnsons have four biological children. According to sources, James has been committed to turning his life around for a while and presently works as a Certified Nurse Assistant in California.