On August 17, 2025, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina was contacted by the Fairfield Police Department in Iowa regarding a missing juvenile from their jurisdiction.
Through their investigation, Fairfield police learned the juvenile had been communicating with a man through messaging apps and was picked up in Fairfield before being transported to Rockingham County, N.C.
Deputies with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office located the juvenile at a residence on Willow Street in Reidsville, along with 25-year-old John Michael Johnson. Detectives and the Rockingham County Department of Social Services responded to the scene and began their investigation.
After consultation with the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office, Johnson was charged with Felony Second Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Felony Solicitation by Computer. He was taken before a magistrate and given a $850,000 secured bond. Johnson is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on August 26, 2025.
The juvenile’s parents were notified, and the child is currently in the care of Rockingham County Social Services until the family assumes custody.
The investigation is ongoing in coordination with the Fairfield Police Department, the Invictus Task Force—a multi-agency partnership addressing internet crimes against children—and other state and federal partners. Officials say additional charges are likely.
Sheriff Sam Page of Rockingham County issued a warning to parents:
“This should be an eye opener for citizens not just in Rockingham County, but across the country. Individuals will use current technologies such as messaging applications and other internet accessible means to not only conduct scams, but to also exploit, and prey on our children. We are seeing this activity far too often now. I would implore parents to be vigilant and involved in monitoring cell phone and internet usage by their children.”
The Sheriff’s Office thanked the Fairfield Police Department, the Invictus Task Force, the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office, and the Rockingham County Department of Social Services for their assistance.
