Davidson man has trail of allegations from several women

by Josh Lanier

A trip through the friendly skies could land a 44-year-old Davidson man a 20-year jail sentence after he was convicted this week of hindering a an airplane crew by sexually assaulting two flight attendants and another passenger.

A jury found Alan Houston Johnson guilty Monday, Nov. 15, after a four-day trial following his arrest in February. Calls to a number listed for Johnson’s 18301 Center Court Drive home in Davidson weren’t answered.

According to the indictment, Johnson was aboard a Feb. 16 United Airlines flight from Chicago to Denver, Colo. Shortly after taking off, a flight attendant said she felt Johnson grab her buttocks and once again a few moments later while she picked up trash, the report said.

At one point, Johnson threw a glass of water on the woman to intimidate her, the report said. She told other passengers she was afraid of the man.

A man told the flight crew Johnson had rubbed his crotch against his wife’s buttocks as she tried to go to the bathroom. A second flight attendant also stated Johnson grabbed her, the report said.

In an interview with FBI agents, Johnson denied any wrong doing and said he “may have brushed his hand” against a flight attendant while she passed him in the aisle. He described the contact as accidental. He also said he was in a hurry to use the restroom and couldn’t wait for the woman to completely get out of the doorway. He didn’t mean to rub against her, he told agents.

As the FBI began investigating the case further, agents found several incidents where Johnson had been accused of sexual advances towards women.

On Feb. 8, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Johnson after he allegedly tried to force a 20-year-old Central Piedmont Community College student to kiss him. He was charged with sexual battery, the Mecklenburg County Jail log said. That case has not gone to trial.

Three other women have claimed Johnson made unwanted sexual advances, including two allegations he tried to forcibly kiss women at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. The women spoke with authorities but declined to press charges, the FBI report said.

Johnson faces up to 20 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine, for one count of interference with a flight crew by assault and intimidation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. He also faces up to six years and up to $750,000 in fines for three counts of sexual contact on an aircraft, the attorney’s office said.

See the report: alan_johnson_complaint

See the indictment: alan_johnson_indictment