Former JCPS Bus Monitor Jailed Under $2.5 Million Bond

JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. – A former Johnston County Public Schools bus monitor has been arrested in an investigation involving an alleged inappropriate relationship with a teenage student, nearly 20 months after authorities obtained a warrant for his arrest.

Jeremiah John Moses Johnson Jr. of Clayton was arrested Aug. 25 in Wake County on an outstanding warrant charging him with second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. He was then returned to Johnston County.

Following a court appearance Aug. 27, Johnson’s bond was set at $2.5 million.

The investigation dates back to Oct. 16, 2024, when a school resource officer was contacted by administrators at Cleveland High School after the school received an anonymous tip about a possible inappropriate relationship between an employee and student.

According to search warrants now made public, the tip alleged a female student was communicating with an adult male and included a photograph of the two together.

The school resource officer allegedly recognized the man as Johnson, who 22 year-old at the time and worked for Johnston County Public Schools as a bus monitor.

Electronic Messages Investigated

Authorities said Johnson met the student through the school bus to which he was assigned.

During the investigation, the student’s mother obtained her daughter’s phone and discovered communications involving Johnson, according to search warrants. According to court documents, investigators said messages were exchanged through Snapchat and TextNow.

The first conversations located by the student’s mother dated to Oct. 4, 2024.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said detectives later obtained electronic communications between Johnson and the student, including sexually explicit photographs.

Authorities also allege Johnson went to the student’s place of employment.

Detectives said Johnson acknowledged the relationship during the investigation. However, sheriff’s investigators said they found no evidence that Johnson and the student had engaged in physical sexual contact.

The sheriff’s office said there is currently no evidence indicating additional victims.

JCPS Employment Ended After Allegations

Johnston County Public Schools confirmed Johnson was employed as a bus monitor from Feb. 20, 2024 until Oct. 17, 2024 — one day after the allegations were reported to law enforcement.

Johnson was terminated immediately after the allegations came to light.

A JCPS spokesperson declined additional comment.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office continued its investigation and obtained an arrest warrant for Johnson on Jan. 10, 2025.

Authorities said they were unable to locate him at that time.

Johnson remained wanted until Aug. 25, 2026, when he was located and arrested in Wake County. He was subsequently returned to Johnston County to face the outstanding felony charge.

After his Aug. 27 court appearance, bond was set at $2.5 million. He was granted a court appointed attorney.