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	Norwich Ex-Pastor Pleads Not Guilty By Greg Smith Norwich Bulletin March 21, 2006 http://www.norwichbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20060321/NEWS01/603210324/1002 New London — A former Norwich pastor pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he molested a young girl during a church function at his Norwich home. Charles Johnson Jr., 52, of 35 Fourteenth St., stood rigidly beside attorney Peter Bartinik Jr. during a brief appearance in New London Superior Court. The former head of the Norwich Assembly of God faces charges of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of risk of injury to a minor for two alleged incidents involving the daughter of church member who also claims she was inappropriately groped. His arrest in February was the result of a three-month investigation involving the Norwich Police and Department of Children and Families. The investigation was prompted by the admission of a 14-year-old girl who became uncomfortable reading a book in which a girl was raped. She told a teacher at her school she was abused, court documents show. The alleged victim told investigators she was inappropriately touched on two occasions when she was 11 or 12 years old and visiting with other children. It was the accusations by the girl's unnamed mother that led to Johnson's removed as pastor in December of 2002 after more than 20 years at the church. The woman and her daughter lived with Johnson for short period of time and later moved to California. Longtime members and friends of the pastor remained suspicious of the allegations and were not surprised by Monday's plea. "Of course he's going to say not guilty, because he's not guilty," said Bonnie Nicholson, 61, of Norwich. "Nobody will ever make me believe it is true that he could do this to a child. The truth will come out in the end." Church officials have confirmed Johnson was the subject of an internal investigation based on complaints of inappropriate behavior with women at the church. He was first suspended and later removed as pastor. Johnson denies any inappropriate or sexual contact with the child, admitting only to wrestling and tickling the victim as he had done with other children visitors to his home. He has requested a trial by jury should the case advance to that point. Judge Susan B. Handy ordered Johnson to have "absolutely no contact with the victims or victims," as subject to his release on a $150,000 bond. Johnson said he was not able to discuss the case under the advice of his attorney. Bartinik declined comment on the charges in light of the pending criminal case. Reach Greg Smith at 425-4219 or gasmith@norwichbulletin.com
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