Ashland School Worker, Craig Albert Johnson, Facing Additional Child Exploitation-Related Charges

ASHLAND, Ore — Following the arrest of Ashland’s Children’s World Montessori School school employee, 68-year-old Craig Albert Johnson, a grand jury met yesterday to consider additional charges against Johnson who is accused of several child exploitation crimes. Johnson was indicted on 23 charges.

Ashland School Employee Accused Of Child Exploitation Faces Serious Charges

The Ashland Police Department (APD) confirmed that the number of Johnson’s known victims is currently still six children but the investigation is still ongoing. The jury indicted Johnson on several serious charges as follows:

• Invasion of privacy in the first degree: one count
• Encouraging child sex abuse in the first degree: 2 counts
• Attempted using a child in display of sexually explicit conduct: 6 counts
• Using a child in display of sexually explicit conduct: 14 counts

Johnson’s pre-trial hearing is scheduled for hearing at the Jackson County Courthouse on November 18 at 9 a.m.

Ashland School Employee Child Exploitation Case

Earlier this year- on July 19, a report that a 5-year-old child may have been exploited at the school was received by the Central Point Police Department (CPPD). Following their investigation, a school employee- Johnson, was arrested on July 30 and subsequently handed over to the Jackson County Jail.

According to the police, the school is cooperating with their investigators. Because of reports received of other instances of child exploitation occurring in Ashland after the arrest, the Ashland Police Department (APD) also joined CPPD in the investigation.

Multiple victims- all female, have been identified and investigators are still looking into identifying possible additional victims.

Police are still investigating the matter actively. The police requested anyone with any information to come forward. Please contact APD Detective Lacie Six who can be reached at 541-552-2125.

Johnson remains in custody at the Jackson County jail. Further details will be published once they are made available.