Law enforcement authorities have advised the Diocese of Arlington that Douglas Johnson is facing six criminal charges related to unlawfully videotaping a female minor in Chesapeake, Va. Mr. Johnson has voluntarily turned himself in to police.
Johnson served as the Youth Minister at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Reston from 2005 – 2018. As a condition of employment, he underwent a criminal background check and completed VIRTUS safe-environment training on the prevention and reporting of abuse. Johnson also underwent recurring background checks every five years, consistent with diocesan policy, to continue serving with minors. Prior to his employment, he volunteered at both St. John Neumann and St. Thomas à Becket Catholic Church in Reston.
No known complaints or allegations have been made against Johnson related to his time as an employee and volunteer at St. John Neumann and a volunteer at St. Thomas à Becket. If you are aware of misconduct or abuse on the part of any cleric, employee, or volunteer of the Diocese, immediately notify civil authorities and reach out to the diocesan Office of Child Protection and Victim Assistance at (703) 841-2530.
The Diocese of Arlington has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and is fully committed to training our clergy, staff and volunteers to identify and report suspected instances of abuse. All clergy, staff and volunteers undergo mandatory abuse prevention and awareness training, and safe environment training is also provided to students in the Diocese’s schools, religious education and youth programs. Anyone who works with minors must also undergo background checks every five years. The diocesan Office of Child Protection and Victim Assistance works with parish staff to ensure training and prevention policies are followed throughout our parishes and schools. No one with a credible allegation against them is serving with minors in the Diocese.
