Ex-Johnston County chorus teacher accused of more sex crimes with 17-year-old

A former chorus teacher at West Johnston High School has lost his job and faces multiple criminal charges after a student accused him of a sexual assault at the school.

Joshua David Johnson, 38, of Benson is charged with two felony counts of indecent liberties with a student and four felony counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, arrest warrants show.

The indecent liberties charges stem from an incident Monday, March 24, that was reported Thursday, March 27, according to court records. Indecent liberties with a student does not include vaginal intercourse or a sexual act, according to state law.

“During the investigation the student provided a detailed disclosure of the sexual assault,” the Sheriff’s Office said in the release but provided no other details.

After turning himself in on the indecent liberties charges Monday, Johnson was served with an additional warrant alleging sexual exploitation that states he “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did photograph, record, film, develop, duplicate material containing a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity.” These incidents date to October and involve a 17-year-old.

It is not clear if the accuser in the two incidents is the same person.

Johnson, who told the court he is indigent and needs a lawyer, is being held on $200,000 secured bail, according to court records.

As of Monday, he no longer works for the Johnston County Public Schools, a spokesperson said by email.

At a hearing Monday afternoon, a judge ordered that Johnson, once he is released from custody, have no contact with any minors unless supervised by an adult, according to ABC11, The News & Observer’s newsgathering partner.

This story was originally published March 31, 2025 at 1:44 PM.