Ex-W. Jordan officer pleads guilty to assault

A former West Jordan police officer pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault Wednesday, the morning he was supposed to stand trial on charges he sexually assaulted a teenage girl.

Robert Johnson was originally charged with sexual battery, a class A misdemeanor. However, that charge was reduced Wednesday to class B misdemeanor simple assault as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.

A class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Johnson, 30, is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 13.

According to charging documents, Johnson touched a 17-year-old girl on the breasts and buttocks after the two had been visiting at a Salt Lake County dry cleaner. The girl, who worked at the business, allowed Johnson inside the building as she worked alone after hours on March 17.

Johnson and the young woman are acquaintances, charges state. The West Jordan Police Department contracts with the dry-cleaning company for its officers' uniforms.

Johnson was put on administrative leave immediately after the allegations surfaced but resigned before the department could conduct its own investigation into the matter or take any disciplinary action.

Comments