JOHNSON FOUND GUILTY ON CHARGE OF INDECENCY WITH A CHILD BY CONTACT
	Llano, Texas— Sixty-seven year old Ivan Johnson formerly of Sandy Harbor was convicted by a jury on September 27th on one charge involving the sexual abuse of a ten year old girl.  During the trial of the case, the jury heard testimony from the young girl as well as a neighbor who testified he had seen the Defendant riding with the child on a four-wheeler while both his hands were on the girl’s genital area.   During the three day trial, jurors heard evidence from several witnesses including a Llano County Sheriff’s Investigator, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and a psychologist which indicated Johnson had displayed “grooming” of the girl.   “Grooming” behaviors refer to actions taken by adults to entice children to remain around them and to trust them in order that a sexual assault may be perpetrated upon the children. Evidence showed that during the time the offense occurred, Johnson had gained the trust of the girl’s mother and was acting in a capacity of a kindly grandfather type figure.  As is often the case in sexual assaults involving children, the child failed to tell anyone about the abuse immediately.  The investigation revealed that Johnson had been involved in the youngster’s life for a lengthy period of time prior to the abuse.        After finding the Defendant guilty, the jury heard evidence and proceeded to set punishment in the case.  Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Nelson noted in closing argument the importance of sending a message as a deterrent to anyone interested in living within the community and choosing to abuse children.  “Let’s send a message, and make it very clear, that we in Llano County, Texas will not tolerate anyone abusing our children.”  The jury set Johnson’s punishment at five years confinement in prison and assessed a $5,000 fine, both to be probated. As a result of the guilty verdict, Johnson will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.  Judge Dan Mills made it a condition of probation that Johnson sell his home located in Sandy Harbor and also added 180 days sentence in the Llano County jail.  That is the maximum sentence a judge can give allowed by law when the initial jury sentence is probated.        District Attorney Sam Oatman stated that “these cases are not as easy as the public might think.  A child’s word against the defendant with scant supportive evidence is always a tough call.  Extenuating circumstances as this along with the defendant’s age may have been the basis for the probationary sentence.”