Jury finds Johnson guilty of sexual assault charges | Local News

Johnson, the former owner of Rustic Essentials Soap Company who has since moved to Idaho but returned to Roswell for the trial, is now being held at the Chaves County Detention Center. He will undergo a 60-day diagnostic evaluation before sentencing.

As of press time Tuesday, no sentencing hearing was scheduled for Johnson. In a statement announcing the verdict, Deputy District Attorney Timothy Wyatt said Johnson could face as much as 31 and a half years in prison.

“Children should live in a world where they are not subject to be preyed upon by an employer or another in a position of authority. Any crime committed against a child is reprehensible, deplorable and shocks the conscience of the entire community. We hope our victims feel some measure of justice against this defendant,” Wyatt said.

Doug Jones Witt, Johnson’s attorney, could not be reached before press time Tuesday for comment about the verdict and whether or not Johnson plans to appeal it.

The trial pertains to charges that were brought against Johnson in March of 2021 after allegations surfaced that he sexually penetrated and had sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl who had been working with him. He was also alleged to have smoked cannabis with her and provided the employee with…