A former schoolteacher has been sentenced to 33 years in federal prison for sex trafficking a child after an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans.
Aaron Johnson, 38, was sentenced on August 19 to 33 years in prison followed by lifetime supervised release, ICE announced in a news release on Thursday. He was convicted on December 8, 2025, of sex trafficking a child and coercion and enticement of a child to engage in prostitution.
Investigation Began With Missing Girl Report
HSI New Orleans began investigating in March 2024 after receiving reports that a girl was missing.
Investigators determined that Johnson, who was working as a teacher at the time, had contacted the girl through social media. She identified herself as a runaway stranded in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
According to investigators, Johnson arranged for the girl to travel from Vicksburg to his private residence in New Orleans. Rather than contacting authorities to help the girl, prosecutors said Johnson exploited her vulnerable circumstances and had sex with her multiple times.
Investigators also said Johnson demonstrated an awareness that his conduct was improper by referring to his credibility as a teacher.
HSI agents and the U.S. Marshals Service located and recovered the girl on March 28, 2024, at a residence in Orleans Parish. Johnson was arrested on August 15, 2024.
Digital Evidence Revealed Additional Allegations
After Johnson’s arrest, federal agents obtained a search warrant for his mobile devices. A forensic examination of the devices uncovered evidence that Johnson had attempted to solicit commercial sex from a 15-year-old girl.
HSI New Orleans acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright said Johnson used his position of trust to exploit a vulnerable child.
“As a schoolteacher at the time of his crimes, Johnson knew how vulnerable children are and chose to use that knowledge to exploit a runaway minor instead of protecting her,” Wright said.
Wright called the conduct among the most serious types of abuse encountered in human trafficking and child exploitation investigations.
He also credited HSI agents and law enforcement partners for their work in locating the girl and building the case against Johnson.
The investigation and prosecution resulted in Johnson receiving a lengthy prison sentence and lifetime supervised release.
Officials encourage anyone with information about human trafficking or related crimes to contact the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423).
Provided by Dallas Express
