Norwich Bulletin [New London CT]
December 15, 2006
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061215/NEWS01/61215020
Former Norwich pastor Charles Johnson Jr. this morning was found guilty of first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor by a six-member jury.
Johnson faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, according to assistant state's attorney Theresa Anne Ferryman. Held on $500,000 bond, Johnson is to be sentenced Jan. 26 in New London Superior Court.
Johnson, 53, of Norwich was accused of inappropriately touching the girl at his home when she was 9 or 10. At the time, he was pastor at Norwich Assembly of God.
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| Charles Johnson Jr. |
With no physical evidence, prosecution relied heavily on testimony from the alleged victim, members of her family and investigators.
Police learned of the allegations in 2005, when the girl revealed her claims to a teacher at her high school.
Johnson stepped down as pastor of the church after 22 years in 2002, after an internal investigation and counseling by the church. Two church members, including the alleged victim's mother, made claims of inappropriate behavior by Johnson with women at the church.
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