Avella substitute arrested
By SUMMER WALLACE-MINGER, Staff writerAVELLA, Pa. - Joseph Robert Johnson, 32, of Hickory, Pa., a substitute teacher and Avella High School varsity boys basketball coach, was arrested at Avella Elementary Center Monday, school officials and police confirm.
Johnson was arrested on charges filed by Barrett Township Police in Monroe County, Pa., according to Mount Pleasant Township Police, who acted as an assisting agency.
Barrett Township Police were not immediately available for comment.
Johnson is accused of allegedly having a sexually explicit online exchange with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but was an undercover police officer, according to reports.
"We are all shocked at Mr. Johnson's arrest," said Avella School Superintendent Wayde Killmeyer. "At the same time, we are relieved that no district students were involved in his alleged activities, nor, as far as we know, was any district equipment used."
Johnson was working as a substitute teacher at the elementary center when Mount Pleasant Township Police and Pennsylvania State Police officers visited his home, and not finding him there, went to the school, according to reports.
Johnson was then brought to the principal's office, where he was taken from the building by officers. No children witnessed the incident, according to school officials.
He will no longer be employed by the district as a substitute teacher, and his coaching duties will be handled by the assistant coach while the district does a search for a new head coach, said Killmeyer.
All Avella School District employees complete background checks before being employed by the district, according to school officials.
Johnson will be extradited to Monroe County, according to police.
(Wallace-Minger can be contacted at swallace@pafocus.com)
