Hearing continues for former coach

January 8, 2013

The trial of former Hickory High School boys basketball coach Shawn Johnson was continued Monday to the April 1 administrative court session due to a scheduling conflict with his attorney.

Johnson’s attorney, Lisa Dubs, has a murder trial starting this week in another county.

Johnson,  38, was arrested in July 2011 on four charges of statutory rape and one charge of sex offense by a teacher.

In August, six additional charges of indecent liberties with a student were added in two separate indictments. Four felony charges of taking indecent liberties with a second student were brought, in addition to charges of taking indecent liberties with a third and fourth victim.

Johnson is facing a maximum penalty of life in prison on each of his four charges of statutory rape.

To read more of this story, pick up the Wednesday edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.