FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges Monday against Zachariah Johnson, of North Vernon, in connection with his recent arrest on allegations of sexual misconduct, official misconduct, and trafficking with an inmate. He is suspected of engaging in sexual acts with a female inmate he was supervising in his capacity as a Johnson County Sheriff’s Office jail employee.
He was charged with three counts of sexual misconduct based on three separate and independent interactions, all of which took place between the months of October and November 2021, as alleged by the female inmate. Even though the evidence points to the relationship being consensual, “that fact is not an element of either crime or a legal defense of it,” according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
“I appreciate Sheriff Burgess for promptly handling this investigation and bringing in an out-of-county agency to conduct it. One thing I wanted to ensure was transparency,” said Prosecutor Joe Villanueva.