Aaron Terod Johnson, Sex Trafficking, Louisiana 2025

Aaron Terod Johnson, a 37-year-old New Orleans schoolteacher, has been convicted of sex trafficking a 16-year-old girl from Mississippi.

A federal jury delivered the guilty verdict on December 10, 2025, following a three-day trial. Johnson was found guilty of Sex Trafficking of a Minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1591(a)(1) and 1591(b)(2), as well as Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Prostitution, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b).

According to evidence presented at trial, Johnson learned on social media that the 16-year-old girl had run away in February 2024. He found and saved a screenshot of her social media page on his cellular phone. The next day, he contacted the victim and her friend, who were stranded in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Johnson picked them up at 1:30 a.m. on March 14, 2024, and immediately returned to New Orleans using backroads.

During the ride back, Johnson offered the victim alcohol and marijuana. He brought the victim and her friend back to his apartment in New Orleans, where he attempted to seduce them. When his attempts were unsuccessful, Johnson coerced the victim to have sex with him in exchange for money. He paid her $200 to do so.

Johnson continued to contact the victim, even after she blocked his phone number. On one occasion, he went to a home where the victim was staying and had sex with her in exchange for $100 in cash. Johnson made the victim feel guilty for being unwilling to sleep with him and ultimately coerced her into having sex with him again.

The victim was forced to stand outside in the rain when she refused to comply with Johnson's demands. Over the next two weeks, Johnson continued to contact the victim, despite her attempts to block him. He ultimately learned that the victim was hungry and offered to take her to get seafood. When they arrived at the restaurant, Johnson asked the victim what she would do in exchange for food.

Johnson's actions have led to a guilty verdict, with a sentence to be determined at a later date. The case serves as a stark reminder of the grim realities of human trafficking and the exploitation of at-risk youth. The U.S. Attorney's Office and Homeland Security Investigations are committed to addressing human trafficking and other crimes that threaten public safety.

Aaron Terod Johnson, a 37-year-old New Orleans schoolteacher, was found guilty of Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Prostitution. The conviction was delivered on December 10, 2025, following a three-day trial. Johnson's sentence will be determined at a later date.

This case highlights the importance of vigilance in identifying and pursuing those who commoditize children. The U.S. Attorney's Office and Homeland Security Investigations will continue to work together to address human trafficking and other crimes that threaten public safety.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/new-orleans-schoolteacher-convicted-sex-trafficking-16-year-old-girl-mississippi