My guest for this month’s The Malliard Report is Freddie Johnson Jr.
By Jim Malliard, The Malliard Report
Freddie has been investigating the paranormal for a few years before leaving the field within the last 2 months. I value his insights into the true paranormal grassroots field.
Malliard: Freddie, what got you started into the paranormal field?
Freddie: I got started in the paranormal field in late of 2008. I have always been a pure skeptic until I was about 26 years of age when my opinion did a complete turnaround.
I was out in Devils Den at Gettysburg taking some casual photos with a friend when, all of a sudden, out of the corner of my left eye I could see a confederate soldier standing there and asked me which way the cavalry went. For some reason I couldn’t turn my head to look the gentleman in the eye. I told him I didn’t see anybody else here. I also advised him that he took this re-enactment stuff way to serious.
Thinking to myself, he smelled like urine, bad B.O and smoke. I remember him tilting his hat and bid me to have a good day and turned to walk away. At that time I was able to turn my head and when I did nobody was in sight.
It was impossible for someone to just disappear that quickly. I went back to the car where my friend had fallen asleep and, of course, he didn’t see a thing. I know what I saw to this day and it has had me interested in the paranormal ever since. It was in 2008 when I was accepted into a paranormal group in Hagerstown Md.
Malliard: I know you are an EMT, how did that help you investigate?
Freddie: I volunteer with the Hagerstown Fire department Engine 1 where I serve as a Firefighter/EMT and also held the position of Captain.
The Fire house is five stories tall and has a lot of history to the building, even with an old ballroom located on the third floor which was open in the early 20’s. There has been many strange things that have happened throughout the years with hearing footsteps and realizing nothing is there.
I even heard horse sounds in our current TV room which used to be a horse stable for the fire horses they had before motorized vehicles were in place. We live in the heart of the city with no horses around and can often hear them. For a year or so, when we would hear the horse sound and footsteps, we would go get our gear on and get in the engine because within a minute we would get a call.
There have been many reports of shadow figure children running in the early morning hours where we would go check the upper floors and nobody would be there. This is just a few things that have happened over the years, and believe me this would be confirmed by many of our members still today. This primed me to being an investigator even more so after the incident at Gettysburg.
Malliard: You have seen multiple groups in the last year from the inside, what would be your advice to current teams on how they manage themselves?
Freddie: I have been in 3 groups within the last year. I would tell everybody that joins a group please be careful. A lot of groups are in it for fame and not in it for the passion. I have been mistreated in these Hagerstown groups. I joined a group for the passion of investigating the paranormal as a true hobby and something that I loved, however certain groups thrive on themselves and making it a job.
I was told I had to devote all my time to these groups and basically give up my family and job because this is what they wanted. I chose to leave the group due to the higher priority of my family, which comes first along with my job. I advised them that they were taking this to the extreme. I left on good terms, so I thought. Now, I have been targeted by two local Hagerstown groups because I chose to leave and not hang around to be their puppet. They caused so much personal stress and drama, to even being threatened to go to court.
Really, is this where the paranormal field is going and is this how founders and groups should be? I have helped people every day for the last 17 years of what my job consist of, and they say I’m the problem. I advise anybody that has an interest in joining a group or is in a group, please be careful of the commitment you give or agree to. There are some awesome groups out there that understand the real meaning of the paranormal field. I will say that the Meadville Paranormal Team is one of the real deals and have an awesome friendship with Jim Malliard. Thanks Jim!
Malliard: And finally, what does the future hold for you in the paranormal field?
Freddie: My future in the paranormal field, Jim, I can honestly say, I don’t have much of a future in this field anymore. Apparently, you have to be unemployed, no children and do nothing but make threats and harass good hearted people who would do anything for anybody and be able to get along with complete strangers from the first second you meet. This is a hobby that I loved and had a passion for, but due to several people/groups that have turned me away because of their being the most selfish and unprofessional people I could know. I would be glad to give names if anybody would like to contact me.
Final Thoughts
I wish all of those who are passionate and love this as a hobby the best of luck and happy hunting. There are some true real paranormal groups out there who believe that your family and life come first. Keep up the great work to all of those that are truly the real deal.
About the Author:
Jim Malliard grew up with the paranormal practically woven into his DNA. When he was as young as 3 years old, he would spend time in cemeteries with his family talking to his friends who where unseen. To this day, those experiences have left him wondering and fueled his drive to seek out the truth.
Jim now lives in northwestern Pennsylvania with his family. He runs Meadville Paranormal and his radio show, The Malliard Report, from his hometown.
You can hear his show on Tuesdays at 9 pm Eastern time via the many internet radio networks. Find out more at www.malliard.com.
