Altoona police officer charged in teen sex case
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» View criminal chargesAn Altoona police officer was arrested Tuesday and charged with having sex with a 16-year-old out-of-state girl.
State police say the 16-year-old girl and Herrick "Rick" Joseph Johnson, 49, of 921 25th Ave., started communicating through a police-oriented Web site in early December, arrest papers state. They began e-mailing and talking on the phone by Dec. 28.
The Mirror has obtained a copy of the charges and criminal complaint and will post the docuements in the Mirror's Crime Center tonight.
The relationship grew to where the girl and her family came to Altoona in March and met Johnson and his family, police said.
The girl considered Johnson to be her "dad," but police say that the relationship became physical and sexual. Johnson admitted having sex with the girl three times, once in Ohio and twice in Altoona, according to the arrest papers.
The teen made three other visits to Altoona, the last on July 28. Police were alerted to the possible relationship through some of the teen's friends, who contacted an adviser in their law enforcement Explorers group.
The Explorers adviser, a police chief, contacted Altoona police and the girl was removed from Johnson's home. She was taken into protective custody Wednesday. State troopers raided Johnson's home using a search warrant on Thursday and seized evidence. He has been on paid administrative leave since then.
Johnson is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of minors.
He was arraigned Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Joseph L. Moran and released on $20,000 unsecured bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled Aug. 20 in Central Court.
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altoonaowner
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08-07-08 11:16 AM
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so the police arrest all the drug dealers and other criminals and then they hire dickey as a attorney, they get away with the crime and then they go party at his house? does the judge come to? is this a conflict of interest or what.
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Chuxspringer
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08-06-08 10:22 PM
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TwoJiggy You're right about Tommy Boy. He is the master of smoke, mirrors AND confusion... AND confusing todays jurors is not that hard. Thus he is effective at his job....getting the scum off.
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epoch1
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08-06-08 10:17 PM
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having sex with a 16 year old is not illegal. the manner he went about it may have been though. also, had she not been a virgin, the corruption of minors would probably not stick...just to play devil's advocate
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TwoJiggy
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08-06-08 10:04 PM
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mama64...I think you give DICKey too much credit. From what I've seen I personally dont think he's a very good lawyer. He just represents most of the scum.
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TwoJiggy
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08-06-08 10:02 PM
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I'm sure he will get the max penalty b/c he is a police officer. Time for him to pay his debt. Wish we knew what the*****the parents were thinking! Just hope his family make it through ok.
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mama64
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08-06-08 9:53 PM
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very good point NIMITTA, i was so upset about this article, i didn't even think of that. RonRude, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU. all i know is i hope he doesn't get dickey as a lawyer, or we will all have to lock up our daughters!!
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notsureofanything
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08-06-08 9:15 PM
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Chux, take a gander at those CRIMINAL CHARGES listed above in the related links field. It seems the parents were in Altoona a couple times with her meeting him!!! I guess they put their trust in the law enforcement individuals also. The last time, they trusted him enough to come to Indiana to pick her up and bring her back here alone! It's such a shame because I've always taught our kids and grandkids to trust the police. Now I'm not so sure! Bedford D.A. and his Adulterous sex is one thing; but this Officer with a 16 year old is completely messed up! The big difference: One is NOT illegal....but, oh boy; the fall-out is about the same!
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Chuxspringer
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08-06-08 8:55 PM
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I still argue that the failure of a police departments ability to monitor and remove these individuals without an FOP or union interfering in discipline will result in more of the same. These specialized non-technical positions such as community services become safe haven niches for nonproductive individuals. They should rotate them back to real police services to keep them honest and reintroduce them to the reason they became cops; Law Enforcement.
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Chuxspringer
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08-06-08 8:49 PM
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Where was her parents???? Tink924: I think he should get the Bedford DA. At least he has experience in adulterous sex. Besides the Bedford DA just resigned as the GOP chair. Now why not his GOVERNMENT position. I think his lack of credibility as DA is more important than his politics!
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notsureofanything
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08-06-08 8:28 PM
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I sure hope that Office Johnson wasn't just telling them to wear RUBBER GLOVES while typing! JERK!
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notsureofanything
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08-06-08 8:27 PM
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FILTHY JOKE OF THE DAY: As an Altoona police officer, Rick Johnson instructed children and others how to be safe online. I heard from the neighbor, who is a swine farmer, that PIGS LIKE WALLOWING IN THE MUD TOGETHER!
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epoch1
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08-06-08 5:46 PM
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Trust everybody, but cut the cards
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RonRude
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08-06-08 4:40 PM
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They should hang a fifty weight from his private parts that says "To Serve and Protect" and make him walk around Altoona as part of his sentence.
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Patience
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08-06-08 3:33 PM
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This is embarrassing for the City of Altoona. The Community Services Officer is a sick individual and he was placed into situations where his behavior could have evolved. Recognizing Officer Johnson's current (and known) inappropriate behaviors and resulting legal difficulties, I would urge all parents to initiate a check point with their children and adolescents, particularly if they had any interaction with this individual as a Community Services Officer. I have to wonder if this is an isolated case or have there been other seriously depraved interactions.
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NIMITTA
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08-06-08 12:28 PM
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This reinforces the very fact that no 'social' website is safe for kids and even adults. They are a haven for freaks like this.
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altoonaowner
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08-06-08 12:20 PM
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respect is the problem in the whole world.i give anyone respect thats gives it to me in return.
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NIMITTA
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08-06-08 12:17 PM
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Thanks for the info, Ewe, reading that made me feel dirty. It is hard to fathom how the parents could think that visiting this cop from another state was appropriate on any level. It is weird, did these people meet his wife and family and no one thought it was bizzarre. -Shakes head-
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altoonaowner
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08-06-08 12:03 PM
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sex 3 times! i might not be able to spell but my mathmatics is great.1 time in ohio 2 times at his home but found 4 used comdoms but not limited to?
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notsureofanything
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08-06-08 11:19 AM
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P O L I C E L I N K . C O M Didn't know if this would work or not. If it DID, this is the site they used (without the spaces, of course)
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Min3333
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08-06-08 11:14 AM
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i beleive the website is for teens or young people interested in becoming law enforcement.
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Bollmans
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08-06-08 11:13 AM
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what is so wrong with listing the DOTCOM part of the website?? Holy edit-crap...
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Bollmans
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08-06-08 11:13 AM
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GEEZ! . C * O * M
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Bollmans
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08-06-08 11:12 AM
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policelink****
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NIMITTA
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08-06-08 11:09 AM
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What is with the website he met her on, I want to hear more about that, the first article read like the website was a police website.
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altoonaowner
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08-06-08 10:43 AM
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i know a guy that has just hired a out of town attorney for a case involving a APD officer,a sec guard,and a very large local convience store.the cop was way out of line and they have a video of the whole incedent from a camara phone.i seen it.
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