Savannah teacher faces upgraded charges in child exploitation case

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A Savannah Chatham County Public School System employee accused of grooming a minor is now facing more serious charges months after his initial arrest.

READ: SCCPSS teacher arrested, charged with grooming a minor for a sexual offense

Jawan Johnson was originally charged with grooming a minor by the Chatham County Police Department but has now been indicted for exploitation of children and solicitation of sodomy of a child under 18.

According to the school system, Johnson taught 7th grade social studies at New Hampstead K-8 at the time of his arrest.

The indictment says Johnson possessed material that depicted a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, solicited that minor for an act of sodomy for money, and used electronic communications to do it. It’s unclear whether the minor involved was Johnson’s student.

Johnson is still in jail after having his bond denied. The school system says Johnson is still technically employed, but is not getting paid.

“Jawan Deandre Johnson is not currently working at any SCCPSS location and it is our understanding he is incarcerated and this case is still active with local authorities. As part of our standard process Mr. Johnson is still at this time considered an employee of the district, but he is currently in unpaid status and our preliminary findings have been reported to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission as required,” a spokesperson for the School System said to WTOC in a statement.

Johnson is due back in court in February.