Former Fort Valley State University executive assistant Alecia Johnson has been indicted on multiple felony charges of allegedly running an on-campus “prostitution” and “pimping” ring.
Johnson, who was also a graduate adviser to one of the oldest Black sororities in the nation, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, was also accused of performing sex acts in exchange for money and allegedly arranged to have other young women provide sexual favors for prominent men in the community.
According to WSB-TV, Johnson, 49, has been charged with six counts of prostitution, three counts of pimping and two counts of solicitation of sodomy. Johnson was one of seven people named in the indictments, with several of them holding high and esteemed positions within the FVSU/Warner Robins metro region, which is about an hour south of Atlanta.
Here are five things you should know about the FVSU prostitution scandal:
1. Who else was indicted:
Six men, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, also were indicted on the charges of sodomy, as well as a charge of pandering based on alleged activities that took place between 2017 and 2018:
- Ernest Harvey, 47, of Fort Valley, a middle school principal.
- Kenneth Howard, 56, of Fort Valley, the city manager of Hinesville.
- Ryan Jenkins, 35, of Fort Valley.
- Charles Jones, 57, of Fort Valley, a former attorney for Fort Valley State.
- Devontae Little, 26, of Warner Robins.
- Arthur James Nance Jr., 46, of Cordele, the vice chairman of the Crisp County Board of Commissioners and a local pastor and mortician.
Each defendant faces up to 12 months incarceration and/or a $5,000 fine for each count of pimping and pandering. For solicitation of sodomy and prostitution, they face up to 12 months in prison and up to a $1,000 fine per count.
2. Authorities began an investigation in April 2018.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation began an investigation into sexual misconduct and hazing at Fort Valley,” that “focused on the university’s Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority chapter,” the AJC reported in 2018.
3. Johnson was executive assistant to the university’s president:
Alecia Johnson was working in access to high-level administrators at the university. She “served as the longtime executive assistant to the university’s president,” according to WSBT-TV. In total, Johnson was employed at the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) for 14 years.
Johnson has a master’s degree from Walden University in project management and leadership. She has a bachelor’s degree from Clark Atlanta University in Communications/Mass Media Arts.
3. Johnson’s attorney denies all charges:
“She’s not a pimp, and she’s not a madam — none of that,” Patrick told WSB-TV. “She’s not guilty. She did not do anything.”
4. Alecia Johnson had a clean record before these allegations:
“Her life is turned upside down. She worked at the university [for] almost 14 years doing a great job with no disciplinary action, anything like that. Now for this information to come out is obviously upsetting and disappointing,” the lawyer also said, according to 11Alive.
5. Fort Valley State University:
FVSU is located in Fort Valley, Georgia and is part of the University System of Georgia. The city is part of the Warner Robins-Macon region in central Georgia.
According to WSB-TV, the AKAs have decided to withdraw the Fort Valley chapter’s privileges “pending the outcome of the investigation.”
