HOUSTON – A Houston murder suspect who was mistakenly released just hours before charges were formally filed has been taken into custody after two weeks on the run, FBI Houston announced Friday.
Johna Robinson, 49, was taken into custody at around 3 p.m. by the Houston Police Department North Belt Tactical Team, law enforcement sources confirmed to KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry.
Robinson was arrested in the 10800 block of Coralstone Road, sources said — at a residence next door to his listed home address in court documents.
#BREAKING Murder suspect and convicted felon Johna Nando Robinson, wanted since February 2026, is now in federal custody thanks to coordinated efforts by FBI Houston, @houstonpolice, and the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/CghAMGK5aM
— FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) March 13, 2026
Along with his previous charges of murder and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, Robinson also faces a new federal charge for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
After the arrest was confirmed, KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry contacted the family of Terribia “Ribi” Dembry — the 52-year-old beloved grandfather investigators believe Robinson fatally shot near a Houston apartment complex on Feb. 24.
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The family had not heard about Robinson’s recapture when KPRC 2 reached out.
“Oh my God, I’m happy. Thank you so much,” Dembry’s sister said.
Dembry’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday.
Court records show Robinson has prior convictions in Florida for drug possession and trafficking, tampering with juror evidence, and other offenses.
In 2022, he was federally convicted in the Southern District of Texas for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. He was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
If convicted on the federal charges, Robinson could face life in prison. He is set to make his initial appearance before a federal judge on March 16.
How Robinson Was Released on Bail
On Feb. 27, HPD announced Robinson had been arrested and charged with Dembry’s murder in a press release.
Records indicate Robinson was arrested just hours after the shooting. According to court records, prosecutors knew he was involved in a homicide investigation.
He was arrested during a traffic stop because records show he had a firearm.
He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Despite being on federal supervised release until 2029, a judge set his bond at $75,000 on Thursday for the firearm charge.
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Robinson posted bond and was released from jail at 1:55 a.m. Friday, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Hours after HPD’s arrest announcement, KPRC 2 News confirmed Robinson had actually been released on bond hours before the murder charge was officially filed.
HPD said the murder investigation was ongoing and the evidence did not lead to a murder charge being filed until around 9 p.m. on Feb. 26.
Because of that, HPD said when the charges were finally accepted, a series of paperwork processes were triggered, which a Harris County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson said can take hours to complete.
Publicly available court records showed the charge was formally filed at 4:15 a.m. on Feb. 28. A warrant was then issued for Robinson’s arrest.
Reached by phone, family members said they first learned about Robinson’s release from KPRC 2 News and were upset they had not been informed that he was on the run.
“We’re hurting and we’re upset,” a family member said. “His grandkids can’t eat or sleep — the family is sick.”