NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Three new charges have been filed against a Camp Lejeune Marine accused of assaulting 22-year-old Savannah Johnson in June.
Isaac Ruiz’s charges now include robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury and attempted first degree murder. He was indicted by a grand jury on Aug. 26. Separate from a verdict, a grand jury indictment means at least 12 jurors decided there was enough probable cause to charge Ruiz with the new crimes.
“We think the charges are appropriate for the heinous nature of the crime,” Johnson’s father Ricky Johnson told Port City Daily Friday.
READ MORE: Family details Savannah Johnson’s recovery following assault, allegedly by Marine
Ruiz has a court date on Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. to answer to the charges in the indictment.
The most serious of Ruiz’s six charges — including assault by strangulation, assault inflicting serious bodily injury and first-degree burglary — is attempted first degree murder. The charge is a B2 felony and is accompanied by up to 33 years in prison.
Ruiz is accused of attacking Johnson on June 14 in a Talon Court home in Wilmington. Ricky Johnson, Savannah’s father, said Ruiz was “stewing” over a date gone bad after Savannah did not reciprocate his feelings.
Ruiz broke into the family member’s home Savannah was staying at and attacked her, resulting in a fractured neck and back, a dissected vertebral artery and a narrower carotid artery.
At the end of July, Johnson took an angel flight from Wilmington to a rehabilitation center in the midwest where she will undergo a six-to-eight-week rehabilitation process. Her father said she is making good progress at the spinal rehabilitation facility.
“We’re impressed with her positive attitude and determination,” he said, adding that Johnson has gained back some mobility and sensation. The right side of her body is progressing slower than her left.
Ruiz remains incarcerated with a secured bond set at $1 million.
At Port City Daily, we aim to keep locals informed on top-of-mind news facing the tri-county region. To support our work and help us reach more people in 2026, please, consider helping one of two ways: Subscribe here or make a one-time contribution here.
