A former drama club coach in the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. pled guilty Wednesday to a reduced charge of child solicitation.
John W. Johnson of Columbus was originally charged with a level 4 felony, but the charge was amended to a level 5 felony as part of a plea deal.
Johnson, 52, was sentenced to 2,160 days in prison, but 2,152 days were suspended. He was given credit for six days served in the Jennings County Jail and was placed on probation for the suspended days, which is roughly six years. He also must pay almost $3,000 in fines and court fees. He is also required to register as a sex offender.
According to court documents, Johnson was accused of trying to arrange a sexual encounter with a fictitious 14-year-old boy in North Vernon on Aug. 12, 2023. He was part of a sting operation by Predator Catchers Indianapolis conducted on several online platforms over several weeks.
A meeting was arranged between Johnson and a member of PCI at the Walmart Supercenter in North Vernon, where Jennings County Sheriff’s officers took Johnson into custody.
Johnson had no criminal history and had undergone treatment before Wednesday’s hearing.
