Christopher Johnson, 24, pleaded guilty Feb. 2 to federal racketeering and conspiracy under RICO for a summer 2022 spree of violent, night-time home invasions across Washington. He admitted to multiple armed robberies, a kidnapping and the August 2022 murder of 27-year-old Irah Sok, who was shot while her 7-year-old lay beside her. Federal prosecutors recommended a 25-year prison term; Johnson is also expected to plead guilty to the state murder charge and face a concurrent 25-year recommendation.
Leader Of Washington Home-Invasion Ring Pleads Guilty, Admits Murder Of Young Mother Irah Sok
Irah SokIrah Sok/Facebook
Christopher Johnson, 24, has pleaded guilty in federal court to racketeering and conspiracy under the RICO statutes in connection with a string of violent overnight home invasions across Washington state, authorities said. The plea was entered on Monday, Feb. 2, as part of an agreement in which federal prosecutors have recommended a 25-year prison sentence.
Prosecutors say Johnson led a crew that carried out multiple night-time break-ins during the summer of 2022. The group allegedly targeted specific families, bursting into homes dressed in black, armed and claiming to be police. Victims were restrained with zip ties — including children as young as 9 — and valuables were stolen.
"To create a climate of fear, the robbery crew burst into homes in the middle of the night, dressed in black, claiming to be police, and with guns drawn. They wore masks and used zip-ties to restrain the victims — including children as young as 9. They would steal any valuables they could ransack from these homes," prosecutors said.
As part of the racketeering plea, Johnson admitted to a series of underlying offenses, including multiple armed robberies, a kidnapping and the August 2022 homicide of 27-year-old Irah Sok. Prosecutors say Sok was fatally shot during a home invasion while her 7-year-old child lay beside her in bed. The federal plea agreement and its admissions apply only to Johnson, not to his alleged co-conspirators.
The U.S. Attorney's Office also said Johnson is expected to plead guilty in Snohomish County Superior Court to the state murder charge related to Sok's death. That state plea carries a separate recommended sentence of 25 years, which prosecutors said is expected to run concurrently with the federal recommendation.
Sok is survived by her husband and young son. A GoFundMe started on behalf of her husband describes her as an "incredibly talented photographer" who specialized in maternity and newborn photography and who celebrated the "love and joy of motherhood, new life, and family" for her clients.
Sentencing recommendations from prosecutors are not binding on the courts. Johnson faces separate federal and state proceedings; final sentences will be decided by the judges overseeing those matters.
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