Former coach, teacher pleads guilty

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ESCANABA - A former Escanaba teacher and hockey coach - arrested on charges relating to indecent exposure, accosting children, sexually-explicit material, and using a computer to commit a crime - pleaded guilty to all four counts at his plea hearing in Delta County Circuit Court Thursday.

Ward Thomas Johnsen, 46, Escanaba, was charged in August following an intensive investigation. The probe began when allegations were brought forward by a victim in March. Johnsen has been free on bond since his arrest.

Shortly after police began the investigation, Johnsen resigned as technology teacher at Escanaba Area Middle School and head hockey coach for the school district.

Prior to court adjourning Thursday, Judge Stephen Davis reminded Johnsen to get all his personal affairs in order before sentencing takes place on Jan. 5 because any sentence will begin immediately. He faces up to two years in jail.

According to Prosecuting Attorney Steve Parks, the prosecution agreed to the plea agreement for Johnsen to plead guilty to all counts as charged. In exchange, no additional charges will be sought from information currently available.

The four charges Johnsen pleaded guilty to and will be sentenced on are:

l Aggravated indecent exposure - he knowingly made an open or indecent exposure of his person. This is a maximum two-year misdemeanor with a $2,000 fine.

l Count 2 - Attempted accosting children for immoral purposes - he attempted to accost John Doe 1, a child less than 16 years old, with the intent to induce or force that child to commit an immoral act. This is a maximum two-year misdemeanor with a $2,000 fine.

l Count 3 - Attempted using computers to commit a crime - he attempted to use a computer to attempt to accost children for immoral purposes. This is a maximum two-year misdemeanor with a $2,500 fine.

l Count 4 - Attempted distributing sexually-explicit matter to children - he knowingly attempted to show John Doe 2, a minor, sexually-explicit material harmful to minors. This is a maximum one-year misdemeanor with a $500 fine.

When Davis requested an explanation of the charges, Johnsen gave a brief but explicit account of what happened in regards to each count. The attempted use of computers to commit a crime pertained to the other three counts which involved immoral acts.

The incidents occurred from February 2008 to March 2009, according to Escanaba Public Safety, the investigating agency. More than 30 people were questioned by police including victims, witnesses, and associates. Evidence included two personal computers and digital media confiscated at Johnsen's camp and home.

Johnsen turned himself in to the Delta County Sheriff's Department after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was released from police custody after posting $250, 10 percent of a $2,500 bond, and was court ordered not to have contact with minor children.

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Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, jlancour@dailypress.net