Authorities in Ashland and Central Point are investigating child exploitation cases.
On July 19th, the Central Point Police Department received a report of a potential sexual exploitation of a 5-year-old child. Members of the agency's Criminal Investigations Division took over the investigation.
The complaint led to the arrest of 68-year-old Craig Albert Johnson of Ashland. Johnson was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on July 30th for Invasion of Personal Privacy, Encouraging Child Sex Abuse and Using a Child in a Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct. He remains in custody.
During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Johnson was employed at the Children's World Montessori School in Ashland and that additional instances of child exploitation had occurred at the school. This discovery brought the Ashland Police Department into the investigation.
APD Chief Tighe O'Meara said several victims have been identified and detectives are actively working on identifying additional potential victims. So far, he said all children found to have been victimized by Johnson are female.
The Children's World Montessori School is cooperating with the investigation. As the investigation proceeds, more criminal charges will be added as appropriate.
In addition to APD and CPD, this case is receiving assistance from the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force and the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to reach out to Ashland Police Detective Lacie Six.
