Case dismissed against Johnson

LUDINGTON — The criminal sexual conduct case against Todd Lane Johnson of Amber Township was dismissed today by 79th District Court Judge Peter Wadel.

The accuser apparently gave conflicting reports to the police, originally stating that alleged sexual relations with the now 39-year-old man started when she was 13. In court today, she testified the alleged relationship didn’t begin until she was 18.

Johnson is a local businessman and was a Mason County Central girls soccer coach. The accuser is a 2011 graduate of MCC. Johnson was arraigned earlier this month on charges of criminal sexual conduct third degree.

Johnson’s preliminary court examination was scheduled for last Wednesday, but the alleged victim did not show up to testify. At that time the charges against him were dropped but then re-instated, with the court date scheduled for today.