JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — A 52-year-old Jonesborough man faces four counts of statutory rape by an authority figure for separate events that allegedly occurred between November 2023 and June 2024.

Curtis Richard Johnston Jr. has a plea deadline of April 17 on the four counts, which are class B felonies.

A Washington County grand jury returned a presentment against Johnston on Nov. 12, 2024 based on an investigation by Jonesborough Police Department investigator Caleb Couch. They also charged Johnston with four counts of aggravated statutory rape, a lower-level (Class D) felony, related to the same incidents.

He’s also charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, which is also a class D felony.

The presentment states that the victim was over 13 but younger than 18. The statutory rape by an authority figure counts say Johnston “had supervisory power over the victim by virtue of (his) occupational status and used such position to accomplish the act.” 

Court records show Johnston was released on $35,000 bond. If convicted of the class B felony, Johnston could face 8 to 12 years in prison on each count. Class D felonies are punishable by 2 to 4 years imprisonment using the standard sentencing range.