Prosecutors will seek concurrent 25-year terms; federal sentencing is set for May 6, 2026.
EVERETT, WA — A man accused of leading a violent 2022 home-invasion crew has admitted his role in the killing of Everett mother Irah Marcello Sok and is expected to plead guilty to second-degree murder in Snohomish County, authorities said this week.
Christopher Johnson, 24, pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to racketeering and conspiracy to commit RICO, acknowledging a string of robberies and kidnappings across Western Washington that culminated in the fatal shooting of Sok on Aug. 19, 2022. Under his agreement, prosecutors and the defense will recommend a 25-year federal sentence. Johnson is also expected to enter a state plea in the Snohomish County case with a recommended 25-year term to run at the same time. U.S. District Judge Lauren King scheduled Johnson’s federal sentencing for May 6, 2026.
Investigators said the robbery crew targeted certain families and struck at night. “To create a climate of fear, the robbery crew burst into homes in the middle of the night, dressed in black, claiming to be police, and with guns drawn,” prosecutors said in describing the group’s methods. Members wore masks and zip-tied victims — including children — as others searched for valuables. Authorities say Johnson admitted the crew carried out armed robberies, a kidnapping and, in Everett, the shooting that killed Sok while her 7-year-old child was beside her in bed. Court documents list additional hits in Mount Vernon, Mercer Island, Kent and Burien between May and August 2022, with roles assigned for scouting, driving and forcing entry.
Local detectives detailed the Everett attack’s early minutes: around 3 a.m., three armed suspects kicked in the door of a south Everett home in the 2600 block of 96th Street SE, went upstairs and entered the primary bedroom. One gunman shot Sok as she lay in bed next to her child, while her husband was forced to the floor and zip-tied. The intruders ransacked rooms and fled with luxury items, according to investigators. “The break in this case shows our detectives’ perseverance and commitment to solving crimes in our community and bringing us one step closer to justice for Irah and her family,” Sheriff Susanna Johnson said when arrests were first announced. Detectives say the crew sometimes chose targets after reviewing social media posts that displayed wealth or collectible items.
Authorities identified Johnson as a co-leader alongside Kevin Thissel, now 29. Prosecutors say some participants were juveniles. The admitted crime pattern includes a May 24, 2022 armed robbery and related kidnapping in Mount Vernon; an attempted robbery on Mercer Island the same day; a May 27 burglary in Kent; a June 19 attempted burglary in Kent, where a resident fired at the crew; a July 14 armed robbery in Burien; a July 28 armed robbery and abduction in Kent to force ATM withdrawals; an Aug. 12 robbery in Kent; and, on Aug. 19, the Everett home invasion and murder. Some criminal acts described in the plea agreement have not been formally charged but can be considered for sentencing and restitution. Investigators from the FBI, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, the King County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments in Mount Vernon and Kent are credited with building the case.
The fatal shooting drew intense attention in Everett, both because of the child’s presence and because Sok was known locally for maternity and newborn photography. Records list her age as 36. In early briefings after the attack, deputies emphasized the brazenness of suspects posing as police at the bedroom door — a detail echoed in later charging papers. The Sheriff’s Office described a crew that moved fast, often striking after 2 a.m., using multiple vehicles, and corralling victims while searching for cash, handbags and watches. Past reports also referenced a shootout during one attempted burglary and the recovery of shell casings linking scenes in multiple jurisdictions. While some details remain under seal, officials say digital trails and interviews helped tie the Everett homicide to the broader summer spree.
Johnson’s federal plea resolves the racketeering case but not the entire enterprise. In state court, he is expected to plead guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Sok; a hearing date has not been posted. Prosecutors said they will recommend the 25-year state sentence run concurrent with the federal term. Johnson has asked the federal judge to recommend serving time in the Washington state prison system, a decision that rests with the court. Co-defendant Thissel remains charged in the string of robberies; other associates have been arrested since 2024, including a 24-year-old woman taken into custody in Renton in 2025 in connection with the Everett case. The investigation into any remaining suspects is ongoing.
At the house where the killing occurred, neighbors described a quiet, predawn street punctured by sirens and cruiser lights that August morning. Evidence technicians worked for hours on the cul-de-sac, photographing footprints and prying marks on the front door. Family friends left flowers near the porch steps and spoke of Sok’s work capturing images of newborns and expectant parents. “This senseless act of violence deeply impacted our community, leaving a young child without his mother,” Sheriff Johnson said at the time. In later filings, prosecutors summarized the alleged motive as theft, noting that crews “would steal any valuables they could ransack from these homes,” while investigators continued tracing stolen items.
As of Friday, the federal case lists Johnson awaiting sentencing on racketeering counts, with the parallel Snohomish County plea expected in the coming weeks. Prosecutors plan to file their formal recommendation ahead of the May 6 hearing in Seattle. Officials said updates on co-defendants and any additional arrests will be announced as the multi-agency investigation progresses.
Author note: Last updated February 6, 2026.