BANTAM (CT)
The Register Citizen
TRACY KENNEDY, Register Citizen Staff01/14/2005
BANTAM -- The Rev. James Willie Johnson, 48, a pastor for the Community Tabernacle Outreach Center on Hewlett Street in Waterbury, was arrested late Wednesday by Torrington police and charged with first-degree sexual assault and allegedly having illicit sexual contact with a minor under 16 years of age. Both charges are felonies and carry prison terms from one to 20 years.
Johnson, a Waterbury resident, denied allegations he had sexual contact with a five-year-old girl from Torrington, his attorney said Thursday in Bantam Superior Court.
Rev. Johnson was taken away from court in leg irons and handcuffs Thursday afternoon after he was unable to post the $200,000 bond set by Judge Charles D. Gill.
"He absolutely denies all charges," said James Longwell, Johnson’s attorney. "He cooperated fully with the police and when called by the police, he went under his own volition to speak with them."
Posted by kshaw at January 14, 2005 08:06 AM