Fort Jackson officer arrested, charged with sexual misconduct with a minor

A man accused last week of possessing child pornography is an officer at Fort Jackson, fort officials announced Monday.

Capt. William E. Johnson, the operations officer for the 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 165th Infantry Brigade at Fort Jackson, was arrested on Aug. 14 by the state Attorney General Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the news release said.

He was charged with sexual exploitation of a minor in the third degree, according to the release. S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson said Johnson had multiple files of child pornography.

The charges are felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison on each count, Wilson’s release said.

“The Fort Jackson command is fully cooperating with local authorities,” Fort Jackson officials said in a release. “We take all allegations of misconduct seriously.”

The Army release stated that Johnson has been suspended from his duties as a result of the charges.

“Sexual misconduct is not tolerated and is inconsistent with Army values and the Army profession,” the Army release said.

This story was originally published August 20, 2018 at 5:00 PM.