Trial date scheduled in the Pike County Circuit court for a Nashville man charged with internet stalking of a child

On August 29, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Dustin Bissell obtained a search and seizure warrant from Circuit Court Judge Bryan Chesshir in the Pike County Circuit Court for an iPhone 13 that belonged to 72-year-old Gary Johnson of Nashville. December 22, Bissell reported the iPhone 13 had been sent to the state crime lab where an examination of the phone is ongoing.

According to the affidavit, the prosecuting attorney’s office is reviewing Johnson’s call history, text messages, photographs, emails, instant messages and social media sites.

According to the arrest affidavit that was issued in August, an undercover officer with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office received a message from Johnson. Johnson thought he was messaging a 14-year-old female.

After chatting for a couple of days, Johnson asked if he could meet the girl, so they could spend the day together. The investigator agreed to meet at a undisclosed location.

Johnson sent a message saying he was there and described the truck he was driving.

The deputy drove past the location in an unmarked patrol unit and observed the truck and Johnson in the driver’s seat. The deputy ran a license plate check which returned to Johnson.

Pike County deputies were then dispatched to the location and Johnson was taken into custody.

Johnson has been charged with internet stalking of a child and computer child pornography. A trial date for Johnson will be scheduled once the crime lab report is returned.