Arrested Ashland School Worker Faces Child Exploitation Charges

UPDATE: Craig Albert Johnson pre-trial hearing will be held at the Jackson County Courthouse and is set for Monday, November 18th at 9 a.m. 

ASHLAND, Ore —The Central Point Police Department (CPPD) released the details of their arrest of an Ashland man who worked at a local school. CPPD indicated that the arrest relates to child exploitation.

Ashland School Employee Arrested

A report of potential sexual exploitation of a 5-year-old child was received by CPPD on July 19, 2024. Following an investigation, Ashland’s Craig Albert Johnson, 68 years old, who was formerly employed at the Children’s World Montessori School in Ashland, was arrested.

CPPD noted that additional instances of child exploitation had occurred at the Ashland and brought the Ashland Police Department into the investigation. According to the police, multiple victims have been identified. To date, all children established to have been victimized are female and detectives are working on identifying potential additional victims.

The Ashland Police Department (APD) confirmed that the school is cooperating with the investigation. A combined statement issued by APD and CPPD indicated that they understand the impact the incident has on the community. They are actively working to investigate the matter.

ADD also confirmed in a news release that Johnson was arrested and lodged at the Jackson County Jail on July 30  on charges of:

• Invasion of Personal Privacy in the First Degree
• Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the First Degree
• Using a Child in Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct

Additional criminal charges may be added if appropriate as the investigation continues.

Johnson was still in custody at the time of the release and police ask that anyone with information relating to this investigation please reach out to Detective Lacie Six at the Ashland Police Department.