In a shocking turn of events, the father of a criminal justice activist expressed his disbelief and shock as his son, Sheldon Johnson Jr., was charged with murder after dismembered remains were discovered in a Bronx apartment. The alleged perpetrator's father, Sheldon Johnson Sr., believed that his son had reformed after spending decades in prison.

The horrific incident came to light when the dismembered remains of 44-year-old Collin Small were found in a freezer and a blue bin inside the victim's apartment. Police charged Johnson Jr., 48, with murder after surveillance video allegedly captured him entering and leaving the apartment in different disguises, including a blond wig, before the gruesome discovery.

According to Johnson Sr., his son had spent 26 years in prison, where he studied and learned. Johnson Sr. considered his son to be a reformed individual, describing him as a good man who had been working in a law office without any problems.

Officers first encountered Johnson Jr. at the apartment when responding to a welfare check prompted by neighbors reporting gunshots. They observed the accused carrying a blue bin into the residence. Subsequent investigations revealed Small's decapitated head, along with a bullet hole, stashed in a black garbage bag in the freezer. Additionally, a severed arm, legs, foot, and the victim's torso and another foot were found in the blue bin.

The nature of the relationship between Johnson Jr. and the victim is yet to be disclosed by the police. However, law enforcement sources have indicated that the two were lifelong friends. Investigators are currently exploring the possibility of a prior connection between the accused killer and the victim during their time at Sing Sing prison in Westchester County, as both men have extensive criminal histories in New York and Pennsylvania.

Records obtained by The Post show that Small had a string of robbery and narcotics-related arrests. He had previously been incarcerated in New York for murder and was released on parole in 2017. In comparison, Johnson Jr.'s criminal record dates back to 1990, and he was released from state prison in 2019 after serving a 20-year sentence for armed robberies committed in 1999.

During an interview on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, Johnson Jr. shared his past affiliation with the Bloods gang and revealed that he was arrested and sentenced to a maximum of 50 years for using a gun in several drug-related robberies. However, he claimed to have turned his life around while in prison, obtaining his GED and working at the public law firm Queens Defenders upon his release.

Despite the shocking turn of events, Johnson Sr. still believes that his son contributed positively to society. He admitted feeling that his son had thrown his life away but reiterated his love for him, expressing confusion about the circumstances that led to the tragic incident.

Johnson Jr. now faces charges of murder, manslaughter, and weapon possession in relation to Small's slaying. Following his arraignment in Bronx Criminal Court, he was held without bail. The investigation into the case continues as authorities seek to understand what might have caused the alleged killer to snap.

This disturbing crime has left the community shaken as individuals grapple with the tragic loss of life and attempt to comprehend the seemingly unexpected actions of someone who had devoted themselves to criminal justice reform.