A transient who was being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail in connection with a robbery that led to the death of 44-year old Lee Johnson, the night of March 21st, was served with a warrant, Friday, for first-degree murder. 20-year old James Michael McCauley was released back to the custody of Pottawattamie County Corrections after being served with the warrant.

James Michael McCauley

Authorities said previously, that on March 21st, 2018, shortly after 11:30-p.m., Council Bluffs Police and Fire personnel were dispatched to the Joshua House, 1435 North 15th Street, regarding an assault. The Joshua House is a 24-hour men’s emergency homeless shelter.

Upon their arrival, officers located Lee Johnson’s deceased body laying outside the building. Johnson had multiple, deep lacerations to his face and neck. Joshua House staff directed officers to Vance Good and Brandon Hollis, who were both still inside the facility. A preliminary investigation revealed that Good and Johnson were in an altercation inside the Joshua House. Good allegedly used a sharp cutting instrument to fatally wound Johnson. Good and Hollis then proceeded to carry Johnson’s body out of the building, to dispose of it in the parking lot. Neither Good or Hollis attempted any life saving measures nor did they contact anyone to provide emergency medical assistance for Johnson.

Good was booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail on one count of Murder 1st Degree, while Hollis was booked for one count of being an Accessory After the Fact (Murder).