A former West Jordan police officer pleaded not guilty Tuesday to sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
Robert Johnson, 30, is charged with one count of sexual battery, a class A misdemeanor. The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail.
According to court documents, Johnson went to Premier Dry Cleaners, 7690 S. Redwood Road, after business hours on March 17. He knocked on a window and the 17-year-old employee, who was working alone, opened the door and allowed Johnson inside.
Johnson and the young woman are acquaintances, charges state. The West Jordan Police Department contracts with the dry-cleaning company for its officers' uniforms.
The two talked for awhile and then hugged, charges state. Following the embrace, Johnson allegedly touched the girl's breasts and buttocks on both the inside and outside of her clothing, according to court documents.
The girl called her friend after Johnson left and "told her that something had happened," charges state. She was "emotionally distraught and crying."
Johnson was put on administrative leave immediately after the allegations surfaced, West Jordan Capt. Gary Cox said. The department began an internal investigation and referred the case to the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office for a criminal investigation.
Johnson resigned less than a week after the alleged incident occurred, before the department could take any further disciplinary action, Cox said.
An employee at Premier Dry Cleaners said Tuesday afternoon she had been instructed not to comment on the case.
Peace Officer Standards and Training has an active investigation into Johnson's POST certification, Utah Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Tammy Palmer said.
Johnson had been a patrol officer with West Jordan for about two years, Cox said. He never had any substantial problems, Cox said, and nothing of the same nature as the allegations.
Johnson is next scheduled to appear in 3rd District Court on June 6 for a pretrial conference.
E-mail: awelling@desnews.com