BJ Johnson, center, is pictured in a prayer circle following his court appearance on Jan. 30. Photo by Brian Shane
BJ Johnson, center, is pictured in a prayer circle following his court appearance on Jan. 30. Photo by Brian Shane
By Brian Shane
Staff Writer
Bryon Johnson, a local high school basketball coach accused of sexual offenses against a minor, has been acquitted of all charges.
Investigators uncovered “reliable digital forensic evidence” that contradicted earlier accusations leaving prosectors with insufficient proof to proceed with criminal charges, according to Worcester County State’s Attorney Kristin Heiser.
“Consistent with our ethical obligations, the State entered a nolle prosequi on all criminal charges against Mr. Johnson this morning. The State will not be prosecuting this matter,” Heiser said in a statement Friday to OC Today-Dispatch.
Johnson, 59, has been employed since 2000 by Worcester County Public Schools. His job is to oversee the in-school suspension program at Stephen Decatur High School. He’s also been the boys’ basketball coach, where he’s affectionally known as Coach BJ.
The unproven accusations were not connected to any students under his care.
About two dozen people sat in solidarity with Johnson, 50, in the District Court gallery in Snow Hill for Friday’s preliminary hearing. He was dressed in the same blue blazer he often wears on the sidelines of basketball games.
Johnson’s case was the first called to the docket. Assistant State’s Attorney Tori Rinaldi moved for the charges to be dropped, and Judge Michael Farlow announced that the case would be dismissed. Johnson did not address the court.
After the quick verdict, the vibe was one of somber relief as Johnson’s supporters filed out of the courtroom and into the parking lot outside. “Hallelujah!” one man was heard to exclaim to a bailiff in the courthouse lobby.
Then, outside in the 20-degree cold, the group joined hands in a circle as Johnson’s childhood friend, Pastor Keith Ellison, led them in prayer. “We got the victory,” he told them.
“When this happened, when we heard about this – we know his character. We know who he is, you know? I knew this wasn’t true,” Ellison told OC Today-Dispatch.
“But unfortunately, things like this happen to us in life, and we have to face these things,” he added. “We just thank God, that God prevailed, and the truth is always gonna stand. Lies won’t.”
Johnson thanked his supporters before tearfully embracing a few of his adult children.
“My mother, they didn’t raise no animal,” he told the group. “What they tried to put on me – I been working with kids for 36 years. It’s definitely not in my character. That’s not who I am. I love kids.”
Added Johnson, to a reporter: “They know I couldn’t possibly do anything like what I was accused of.”
Ocean Pines Police charged Johnson on Jan. 7 with third- and fourth-degree sex offenses and one count second-degree assault. He was arrested the next day.
Court documents show police had responded to an Ocean Pines home the day before to meet with a woman identified as Johnson’s former girlfriend.
In a statement to police, the woman alleged that she had left her minor children at the home on Jan. 6 while she went to work in Salisbury.
She further alleged that, upon her return, her 8-year-old daughter reported being touched inappropriately by Johnson in her absence. The child allegedly corroborated that testimony with social services, court documents show.
When police interviewed Johnson on Jan. 7, he denied being at his ex-girlfriend’s home on the date in question and denied any inappropriate contact with the minor, court documents show.
After being taken into custody Jan. 8, Johnson spent 19 days in jail. He was released Jan. 27 with the state’s consent. Johnson also was placed on administrative leave at SDHS.
“I knew from day one that man was innocent,” Johnson’s attorney Ryan Bodley told OC Today-Dispatch.
Not only had Johnson attended a high school basketball game that night before heading straight home, Bodley said, but cell phone tracking data and eyewitness testimony examined by police “unequivocally exonerated” his client.
“It is a grave miscarriage of justice that the full investigation was not undertaken until after Mr. Johnson was arrested, held without bond, and had his reputation tarnished,” Bodley said in a statement.
“The rush to judgment in this case has harmed an innocent man’s stellar reputation in the community and brought pain and suffering to an innocent man and his family.”
Johnson is now focused on repairing his reputation and returning to his normal life, he added.
“We are hopeful that those responsible for these false allegations will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Bodley’s statement concluded.
In a later statement provided by his attorney, Johnson expressed appreciation to his friends and family, and said he’s dedicated himself to helping young people better their lives.
“I never would have anticipated facing the challenge of proving my innocence against such horrible lies. This experience has revealed significant flaws within the justice system and heightened my awareness of the reality that many innocent individuals are incarcerated. The conditions within these facilities are often inadequate, and enduring confinement for extended periods of time is particularly difficult, especially for those who are innocent,” Johnson wrote.
Looking ahead, Johnson said he’ll volunteer with organizations The Innocence Project that advocate to fight wrongful convictions.