NORTH VERNON, Ind. – Columbus North High School Auditorium Director and Drama Club Coach John Johnson was arrested by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office on felony charges of child solicitation and disseminating harmful material to a minor after law enforcement learned he was supposedly having inappropriate conversations with a 14-year-old boy.
After having been with the school system for two decades, Johnson was fired when Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) learned of the charges on November 23, BCSC Communications Coordinator Josh Burnett said in a statement to LocalNewsDigital.
During one of those exchanges, authorities allege that Johnson, 52, arranged to meet with the minor for the purpose of having a sexual relationship. The suspect, captured by Predator Catchers Indianapolis on video, was arrested after arriving Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at the purported predetermined meeting location.
Deputies took Johnson into custody without incident and interviewed him regarding the communication. He was released from Jennings County Jail after posting a $2,555 bond.
The statement from BCSC in full:
“Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation has been made aware of the charges filed on Wednesday, November 23, in Jennings County against John Johnson. Johnson was immediately terminated upon BCSC learning of these allegations of misconduct. Johnson was an hourly employee at Columbus North High School, where his responsibilities included Auditorium Director and Drama Club Coach.
The event from which these charges stem did not involve any students at Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation, and at this time, administrators have not received any report of misconduct involving our students. We will continue to investigate and fully cooperate with law enforcement.
Student safety is our priority at BCSC and policies concerning employee conduct are strictly enforced. Support will be made available for students and staff impacted by this news through our school counselors and mental health partners.”
CORRECTION: A previous version of his post referred to John Johnson as a teacher at Columbus North High School. While Johnson was an hourly employee, he was not a certified teacher.
