Joplin man arrested on sodomy charges

A man from Joplin is now in custody after he allegedly sexually assaulted a juvenile. Read the full press release below:

On February 2, 2021 Investigators with the Joplin Police Department arrested Kip A. Johnson, age 45, of Joplin, in regard to a statutory sodomy case.

The arrest is a result of an ongoing criminal investigation from incidents that have occurred during the years 2018 and 2019. The juvenile victim was assaulted by Johnson, who at the time, was a gymnastics coach for the victim. Investigators executed a search warrant at the home of Johnson.

Charges were submitted to the Jasper County and Newton County Prosecuting Attorneys’ Offices and the following charges were filed:

Jasper County
Statutory Sodomy in the Second Degree (2 counts)
Furnishing pornography to a minor

Newton County
Statutory Sodomy in the Second Degree (2 counts)

Johnson is currently being held on a NO BOND warrant.