Nebraska principal found dead in Nevada amid sexual abuse investigation

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A principal in western Nebraska was found dead in Nevada amid an investigation into sexual abuse at the school.

On Jan. 20, the Logan County Sheriff’s Department received a report from a concerned parent at Stapleton Public Schools.

The parent reported that a student had been “inappropriately” touched by the school’s principal and athletic director, Jeremiah Johnson, according to a joint press release from Logan County authorities.

It happened in a secluded area, leading investigators to think that Johnson was trying to make a “sexual advance” on the student, authorities said.

Johnson made “physical” contact with the student, who eventually got away from the principal, according to the press release.

The investigation led County Attorney Andrew Van Velson to file criminal charges against Johnson for second-degree sexual abuse by a school employee.

Authorities sought a warrant as law enforcement in Nevada found Johnson’s vehicle at a hotel.

Once the warrant was issued, law enforcement went into Johnson’s hotel room and found him dead, authorities said.

The warrant and charges have since been dismissed.

Van Velson and the Logan County Sheriff’s Department are reminding parents to be “vigilant of their children’s whereabouts and actions.”