One victim, who asked not to be named, said he invested $100,000 with a Butler, Mo. man who assured the victim a healthy return on his investment in a cattle/feedlot operation in Oklahoma. While the victim did receive three $10,000 payments (minus promised interest) all communication with the broker ceased on February 25th of this year, leaving him to only believe something is terribly wrong.
"Through everything, we asked a lot of questions about the investment, even withheld our investment check once because we had reservations- but he (alleged broker) kept assuring us everything was ok." The victim went on to say that the man he was working with was well known in the community to include acting as a preacher at a Butler, Mo. church.
The victim went on to say that he knows another party who lost about $200,000 in the same investment and speculates there are more who mortgaged their property or invested their nest egg- all with little or nothing in return.
The alleged broker in question, Craig Johnson 40, with a rural Butler Mo. address is nowhere to be found. Mid America Live did find Johnson on Facebook recently but that account now appears to be deleted. Asking around the area has drawn a lot of "We have no idea" answers when asked about his whereabouts.
"We wonder how many more there are like us" pondered the victim. "You have to think this was going on for a long time and there probably are more people who lost even more that we have."
Flipside, it all could have been legit. Maybe Johnson was in an accident or disappeared for another reason. However, there is no current information that might support those possibilities.
As of March 17, records on file in Bates County show that both Craig and wife Karen Johnson have been named in a lawsuit regarding default of three promissory notes on behalf of Plaintiff FSC Financial totaling approximately $3.5 million plus interest. According to the lengthy petition, the Johnson's are accused of "Selling or incumbering collateral without Plaintiff's consent" and "Provided false, misleading or incomplete information to the Plaintiff".
March 20th, separate summons in the above matter were issued to both Craig and Karen Johnson as the court awaits a response.
Records also indicate that Johnson's wife filed for divorce on March 9, 2026 in Bates County. A summons for Craig Johnson regarding this matter is yet to show a response from him as of March 20th.
Lastly, the victim we interviewed said they have no choice except to wait for now and in their case, fortunately the loss will be easier to manage than others who reportedly took out very large loans to invest with Johnson.
As the FBI continues their investigation into the whereabouts of Johnson, anyone with additional information regarding this case is asked to contact them through the FBI tips website here https://tips.fbi.gov/home
Mid America Live new will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.
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