Plea deal keeps attempted kidnapper out of prison | News

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- A Huntsville man who admitted to trying to kidnap two children at a local Walmart will not go to prison.

Johnny Lee Woods was expected to go to trial on Monday, but he accepted a last-minute plea deal Friday.

Woods pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping and impersonating a police officer.

The judge sentenced woods to seven years in prison. As part of the plea agreement, Woods will not serve any more time. Instead, he will spend two years on supervised probation.

The case started back in 2010.

Woods approached two children at the Walmart on University Drive.

The children, ages 7 and 10 at the time, were waiting for their mother. She was in the dressing room.

Woods promised the children he'd buy them anything in the store if they would go with him.

When the children refused, he said he was a police officer and pulled up his shirt, showing a gun.

Woods took off when he realized an employee saw the exchange.

ADA Jason Scully-Clemmons said the state is gratified that justice was served and the children and families will not have to go through the pressure of a trial.

Copyright 2012 WAFF. All rights reserved.