Man Charged with Impersonating an Attorney Is Now In Custody

Durham, NC (Wednesday, May 17, 2023) – Investigators from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office have made an arrest in an ongoing fraud case. 52-year-old Johnny Carroll Clifton Jr. of Durham was taken into custody at his home this morning. Clifton was booked into the Durham County Detention Center on charges of Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretense, Practicing Law Without a License, and Failure to Appear on similar charges in neighboring Wake County. Additionally,  Clifton has been previously charged in Franklin County on the same charges. He remains in the detention center under a $45,000 bond. 

The Durham County Sheriff’s Office received multiple tips over the last two (2) months regarding Clifton after seeing the story on local media and appreciates the public’s assistance in locating him.

Background

Man Posing as Lawyer Charged in Fraud Case

Durham, NC (Friday, March 17, 2023) – In January of this year, Johnny Carroll Clifton Jr. 52, was hired by a local woman to represent her in a legal matter. After paying Clifton a retainer to serve as her attorney, meeting with him in person at a location he claimed was his office, and being presented with alleged legal documents he had prepared for her, she began to become suspicious of the work. When questioned, Clifton ceased communicating with her.  It was at this time that she called the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. 

Detectives in the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) with the assistance of the North Carolina State Bar Ethics Department determined that Clifton was not a licensed attorney. At the beginning of March, an arrest warrant was obtained for Johnny Clifton Jr. on charges of Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretense and Practicing Law Without a License.

Clifton is still at large. If you have information about his whereabouts or this case, please contact Detective T. Boone at 919-560-0880.