Joe Rogan recounted on a recent episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience" that a man who appeared on his podcast in 2024 was allegedly involved in a gruesome killing weeks later. The guest, identified as Sheldon Johnson, had appeared alongside civil rights attorney Josh Dubin, who runs the Perlmutter Center for Legal Justice.
Johnson was arrested in March 2024 after police discovered a dismembered body at a Bronx apartment. Authorities found a human torso in a blue bin and a head in a freezer. The victim was Colin Small, 44 years old. Neighbors had called for a wellness check after hearing gunshots and observing someone entering and leaving the apartment with cleaning supplies.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative critics have used Johnson's case to argue for longer sentences and stricter parole conditions for violent offenders. "This is exactly what happens when we release people early from lengthy sentences," said one Republican commentator who pointed to Johnson's original 50-year maximum sentence as appropriate.
Others have questioned whether podcast platforms like Rogan's bear any responsibility for amplifying individuals with violent histories without adequate vetting. "Media hosts are increasingly platforming people based on compelling narratives about redemption, but there's no background check process," noted a criminal justice policy analyst.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive advocates have focused on what Johnson's case reveals about gaps in reentry support for formerly incarcerated individuals. Johnson served 25 years for armed robberies committed in 1999 before his release in 2019. He told Rogan he had been a member of the Bloods gang and described his efforts to turn his life around, including earning his GED and working as a client advocate at the public defender's office in Queens.
Criminal justice reform groups argue that Johnson's case underscores the need for more robust post-release monitoring and mental health resources. "When people are released after decades in prison, they need sustained support systems, not just parole check-ins," said one advocacy organization focused on prisoner reentry. The Perlmutter Center, which featured Johnson as a success story of rehabilitation, has not publicly commented on the allegations.
What the Numbers Show
Johnson spent 25 years in prison for a string of armed robberies committed when he was younger. He was released in 2019 after serving roughly half his maximum sentence. At the time of his arrest, he had been free for approximately five years. Court records show he was working as a client advocate at the Queens public defender's office and had no documented violations of parole conditions prior to his March 2024 arrest.
Police recovered human remains including arms, legs, and a head with a gunshot wound from Johnson's Harlem apartment freezer. He has been charged with murder, manslaughter, criminal possession of a weapon, and concealment of a human corpse. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Bottom Line
Johnson's case is pending prosecution and raises questions about the effectiveness of current reentry programs for long-term inmates. His appearance on Rogan's podcast had presented him as an example of successful rehabilitation through criminal justice reform work. Prosecutors have not alleged any wrongdoing related to his podcast appearance, which occurred before the killing. A trial date has not been set.