HARRISON, Mich. (WJRT) – A Harrison man was arrested Saturday following a multi-day online predator investigation.
According to the Clare County Sheriff’s Office, a sergeant arrested Paul Ignacio Johnson at his residence on North Clare Avenue on July 4 at 2:46 p.m. The investigation began after the citizen-led organization Pred Task Force contacted the sheriff’s office.
The group had been communicating with Johnson online before his arrest. During that time, Johnson had been communicating with a decoy he believed to be a 14-year-old boy, according to the sheriff’s office.
During these communications, Johnson sent nude photographs of his genitals to the decoy. He also attempted to arrange an in-person meeting with the decoy for the purpose of engaging in sexual intercourse with the minor, according to deputies.
After Johnson was confronted at his residence by the Pred Task Force, law enforcement was contacted. A sergeant with the Clare County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, made contact with Johnson and conducted a formal interview.
Based on the interview and evidence gathered through the investigation, Johnson was placed under arrest. He was lodged in the Clare County Jail on several felony charges.
Johnson was arraigned in the 80th District Court, where his bond was set at $200,000 cash or surety. He remains in custody as of Tuesday.
The charges include one count of computers: communicating with another to commit a crime, one count of accosting children for immoral purposes and one count of computers: using a computer to commit a crime. The case remains under investigation, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
