Timothy Johnson faces four counts after police said the allegations involved incidents in Zachary and Baton Rouge.
ZACHARY, LA — A Zachary High School teacher and assistant basketball coach was arrested Thursday after police said an investigation found alleged sex crimes involving a student in Zachary and Baton Rouge.
Timothy Ta’Juan Johnson, 29, was booked on counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile, prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student, molestation of a juvenile and improper telephone communications, police said. The arrest has moved the case from a school district personnel matter into a criminal investigation involving Zachary police and the East Baton Rouge Parish jail system.
Johnson turned himself in Thursday, May 14, at the Zachary Police Department after an arrest warrant was issued, investigators said. Police identified him as a teacher and coach with the Zachary Community School District. Local reports identified him as an assistant basketball coach at Zachary High School. Officers said the alleged crimes happened in both Zachary and Baton Rouge, but they did not release the dates, the student’s age or details about how the case first came to the department. The district said Johnson was placed on administrative leave after officials learned of the arrest.
The Zachary Community School District said the allegations involved what it described as an inappropriate relationship with a student. In a written statement, the district said Johnson “has been placed on administrative leave and will not be returning to the district.” The district said the alleged conduct was “deeply troubling” and inconsistent with its standards for employees. School officials also said they began cooperating with law enforcement and took administrative action under district policy. The district said it could not discuss specific details because the case involves personnel issues and the privacy of a student.
The criminal counts listed by police cover several different allegations. Carnal knowledge of a juvenile generally refers to sexual conduct involving a minor. Prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student focuses on the position of trust held by a school employee. The molestation count and the improper telephone communications count point to alleged conduct beyond a single personnel violation, though police have not described the evidence behind each count. Johnson has not been convicted of the charges. Court and jail proceedings will determine whether prosecutors formally pursue all counts listed at booking.
The case centers on Zachary, a city north of Baton Rouge in East Baton Rouge Parish, and involves a school employee accused of conduct tied to a student. Zachary High School is part of the Zachary Community School District, which said it is working with law enforcement and other agencies as the matter moves forward. Police said the investigation remains ongoing. Officials did not say whether other students or staff members were interviewed, whether electronic messages were seized or whether additional charges could be filed.
After Johnson surrendered, investigators said he would be booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. Police did not release bond information in their initial statements. They also did not release a probable cause affidavit, a court date or the name of any prosecutor assigned to the case. The next public steps are expected to come through jail records, court filings or later statements from law enforcement. The district’s action removes Johnson from school duties while the criminal case proceeds.
The district’s statement framed the arrest as both a law enforcement matter and a student safety issue. “The safety, well-being, and protection of our students remain our highest priority,” the district said. Police and school officials have not released the student’s identity, and no details about the student’s grade level or connection to Johnson’s classes or team have been made public. The limited release leaves several key facts unknown, including when the alleged conduct began, how long it continued and who first reported it.
As of Tuesday, police had not announced additional arrests or new charges. Johnson remains accused, not convicted, and the case is still under investigation. The next milestone will be the release of formal court records or a scheduled hearing in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Author note: Last updated May 19, 2026.