Custodian arrested for enticing 14-year-old

By Pete Skiba (2291)
pete.skiba@albanyherald.com

As of Thursday, January 17, 2013
© Copyright 2013 Albany Herald

ALBANY, Ga. -- A custodian at the Regional Youth Detention Center in Albany tried to arrange sexual relations with a 14-year-old detainee after her release, a Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice news release stated.

Michael Lloyd Johnson, 60, of Albany, charged with felony criminal attempt to entice a child for indecent purposes, is no longer in the Dougherty County Jail, according to the jail's automated information system. No information was immediately available on his bail amount.

"We've just gotten the case, and I am assigning an attorney to it," Dougherty Judicial Circuit District Attorney Greg Edwards said. "The charges mean he could get 10 to 30 years."

Juvenile Justice Commissioner Avery Niles said his investigators acted on information from the girl's family, who said that Johnson had "contacted and communicated with the teenager by text messages after the teenager's release from custody."

The news release stated that Johnson admitted his contact and messages with the teen were for the purpose of engaging in sexual relations.

Niles ordered Johnson suspended on Jan. 7, and he was fired on Tuesday. The case was handed to the Dougherty County Sheriff's Office for arrest Monday.

Investigators said there were no indications that Johnson's criminal behavior ever went on at the RYDC while he was employed. The investigation continues.