Alleged Victims of Former School Counselor Matthew Johnson Sue Riverside Seventh-Day Adventist School (Riverside, California)

Three alleged victims of child pornography are suing members of the Seventh-Day Adventist church over a former school counselor who is accused of videotaping them in a boy’s restroom. The complaint, filed this week, names Matthew Johnson, the Southeastern California Conference of Seventh Day Adventists, the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists Office of Education, and La Sierra Academy as defendants.

According to the complaint, the organizations were aware that Johnson had previously engaged in what attorneys describe as “dangerous and inappropriate conduct with children” but continued to employ him and grant him access to the alleged victims. Johnson worked as a counselor at La Sierra Academy, a private K-12 college preparatory school affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The alleged victims, aged 8 to 13, were students at the academy.

Johnson was arrested in March 2020 on suspicion of possessing images of minors in sex acts and sending and selling obscene materials of minors online. Police believe he secretly recorded students using a video camera hidden in the boys’ restroom. At the time of his arrest, Johnson was in possession of more than 600 images of child pornography, according to the attorneys.

The complaint alleges that La Sierra Academy failed in its duty to protect vulnerable children from a serial sexual predator. Morgan Stewart, the victims’ attorney, stated that the academy’s promise to provide a “Christ-centered Atmosphere Through Authenticity, Love and Guidance” was not upheld in this case.

The case highlights the importance of safeguarding children and ensuring that institutions uphold their moral responsibilities. Micah 6:8 reminds us that justice, mercy, and humble service are essential in the pursuit of righteousness.

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