NORTH VERNON, Ind. – Former Columbus North High School employee John Johnson, charged with child solicitation, appeared in Jennings Circuit Court on Friday for his initial hearing and entered a plea of not guilty. His bond was set at $50,000 and his trial was scheduled for March 27, at 9 a.m., according to online court records.
Johnson was arrested by Jennings County Sheriff’s deputies at a North Vernon Walmart on November 23 where it is alleged he intended to meet up with a supposed 14-year-old boy for sexual activities.
According to a copy of the probable cause affidavit obtained by LocalNewsDigital, a member of the group “Predator Catcher’s Indianapolis” was posing as a 14-year-old boy named “Cory” and had been communicating with a man who went by “Joe” on the app Grindr.
Law enforcement identified “Joe” as Johnson. “Joe” initiates the conversation and it later shifts to the instant messaging app KIK, according to the affidavit. In an exchange, “Cory” asked “Joe” how old he is and Johnson replies “45.” “Cory” later says he is 14 and “Joe” supposedly replies, “That’s cool. You look older than 14. Send me a pic. Age doesn’t bother me at all.”
Johnson is accused of suggesting the two meet and “Cory” replies that he lives close to Walmart, the document says.
Over the course of their exchanges, “Joe”, who makes the first mention of sex, describes in explicit detail the type of sexual activities he would like to engage in with the supposed teenaged-boy and at one point asserts that he has had sex with a 14-year old in the past, according to the affidavit.
According to the document, the two arrange to meet on November 23 in the alcohol aisle at Walmart in North Vernon. Johnson allegedly reiterates his desire to engage in sexual activities with the supposed minor and is accused of sending two pictures of his genitals and asking for a “naughty shot” in return, according to the probable cause affidavit.
“Joe” sends a picture of himself wearing a blue jacket/hoodie and a lighter-colored shirt underneath and then another when he arrives in the parking lot of the Walmart in North Vernon, per the document. At that time, Jennings County deputies were notified and the arrest was made.
