Featured Image Credit: Paramount+
Topics: Documentary, True Crime
Ilana Frost
If you’re looking for yet another creepy documentary about terrifying men, Paramount+ has you covered: The three-part docuseries, Don’t Date Brandon, premiered on October 28. It tells the chilling story of con man Brandon Johnson and his history of pathological lying, manipulation, and abuse toward multiple ex-wives and other women in his life.
The series is inspired by the podcast Ex-Wives Undercover, co-hosted by Athena Klingerman (Johnson’s first wife) and Amber Rasmussen (his second). The two women launched the podcast to warn others dating Brandon to stay far, far away. In Don’t Date Brandon, Athena and Amber share their harrowing experiences with their ex-husband. Six different women, including Athena and Amber, filed 17 protective orders against Brandon after alleged threats, harassment, and stalking.
Where is Brandon Johnson from Don’t Date Brandon today? Here’s what we know.
In 2023, Brandon pleaded guilty to assault and attempted kidnapping with intent to rape. He also admitted to 10 counts of attempted first-degree theft after being charged for stealing from an employer, per the doc. Now, he’s serving out a 10-year sentence at a California state prison and has agreed to lifetime registration as a sex offender in California. Unfortunately, Brandon will be eligible for parole in May 2027.
He still denies many of the allegations against him. “Looking back over the years, I wish the legal system had stepped in to offer me more help,” he wrote to The Sacramento Bee in January 2023. “Seeing a pattern of off-the-wall behavior, the most that ever happened was fines.”
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In an interview with Us Weekly, Brandon’s ex-wives, Athena and Amber, were asked about his reaction to their doc. “We’re very aware that he always has plans,” Athena answered. “I think that it would be crazy of us not to expect him to retaliate at any moment.” She explained that they take everything day by day. “We can’t sit there and dwell or be overly anxious about what’s going to happen,” Athena added. “We just have to move forward, put our voices out there and continue to do what we’re doing and spread the word in a sense that gives us a little bit more protection. Once he does get out, we’ll be on guard a bit.”
Amber is concerned about Brandon becoming eligible for parole so soon. “We had all hoped for a longer sentence,” she told the outlet. “It’s not going to be long enough for him to even — unfortunately — make a difference. I think he’ll probably be on his best behavior for a little while and he might do some smear campaigns because he’s kind of known for that. But again, once he feels like things have died down, he’s going to be back at it.”