Johnson now being held at Jennings County Jail without bond after formal charge filed for child solicitation

Photo provided A new booking photo has been placed on the Jenning County Jail website for John Johnson.

JENNINGS COUNTY — Jennings County prosecutors have filed a formal preliminary felony charge of child solicitation in Jennings Circuit Court against former Columbus North High School auditorium director and drama coach John Johnson.

On Monday, prosecutors formally charged Johnson, 52, with child solicitation a Level 4 felony, court records show. Level 4 felonies can carry a potential jail sentence of two to 12 years.

Johnson was arrested last week in Jennings County on preliminary charges of child solicitation and disseminating harmful material to a minor after sheriff’s deputies received information that the former drama coach had been having inappropriate communications with a 14-year-old male.

During the conversation, Johnson arranged to meet with the juvenile for the purpose of having a sexual relationship, deputies said. Johnson arrived at a predetermined meeting location, where officers from the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office and the North Vernon Police Department took him into custody without incident.

Upon learning of the allegations against Johnson, the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. immediately terminated Johnson’s employment at Columbus North High School, where he was an hourly employee, BCSC officials said earlier.

On Monday, Jennings Circuit Court Judge Murielle S. Bright granted prosecutors’ request for a warrant to take Johnson back into custody after Jennings County Jail officials “erroneously” allowed the former high school drama coach to be released after posting bond, according to court documents.

Johnson had posted $2,555 bond last week and was released from jail, according to jail records.

Johnson was in Jennings County Jail as of Tuesday morning and is being held without bond, jail and court records show.

The Republic is currently awaiting the probable cause affidavit from Jennings County officials and comment from Jennings County Prosecutor Brian Belding.

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