LILLINGTON, N.C. — A U.S. Army combat medic stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina — one of the Army’s largest installations — has been arrested on multiple felony charges of sexual exploitation of minors.
Sgt. Chad Michael Johnson, 36, was taken into custody on August 5 by the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office. Harnett County is located in central North Carolina, just north of the main Fort Bragg military reservation, and includes several small towns where many soldiers and military families live.
Johnson is facing four felony counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Court records accuse him of engaging in sexual acts with five girls between the ages of 12 and 16 between September 2021 and July 2024 — and, in some cases, recording the abuse.
Search warrants obtained by CBS 17 allege that Johnson facilitated sexual activity with minors and filmed the encounters, including an incident on February 2, 2024. Investigators say Johnson also used the social media app Snapchat to communicate with at least two of the victims.
Johnson has been assigned to Fort Bragg since 2014 and currently serves as a combat medical specialist with the 44th Medical Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps. Fort Bragg/Fort Liberty is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and serves as the home of the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Forces.
Fort Bragg spokesperson Col. Mary Ricks confirmed Johnson’s identity and released a statement on behalf of the command:
“We are aware of the arrest of Sgt. Chad Michael Johnson, a combat medical specialist assigned to 44th Medical Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and the charges brought against him. Johnson has been assigned to Fort Bragg since 2014. The command is fully cooperating with local law enforcement in their investigation. Due to the ongoing investigation, we refer additional queries to the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office.”
Johnson appeared in court on August 6, where a judge set his bond at $200,000 secured. An attorney has been appointed to represent him, and his next court date is scheduled for August 12.
The Harnett County Sheriff’s Office has not released further details on the ongoing investigation.
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