GBI probe into sexual misconduct at FVSU leads to warrants for pimping, pandering

The former executive assistant to the president at Fort Valley State University is facing six counts of pimping, while another former university employee and five other men face charges of pandering and solicitation of sodomy.

A months-long investigation by the GBI into allegations of illegal conduct at the university led to the issuance of arrest warrants, District Attorney David Cooke for the Macon Judicial Circuit announced at a news conference Friday.

Alecia Jeanetta Johnson, 48, who is accused of pimping, also is charged with six counts of prostitution on allegations she performed, offered or consented to perform a sexual act for money or other items of value.

Additionally, Johnson is charged with conspiracy to commit fiduciary theft for allegedly conspiring to take scholarship money, a book scholarship, that had been granted to a student in October 2015.

Charles Jones, 57, of Fort Valley, former director of government and corporate relations and former legal officer for FVSU, is charged with pandering and solicitation of sodomy stemming from the alleged illegal conduct in 2017 and 2018.

Also facing the same charges as Jones are Ernest Harvey, 47; Kenneth Howard, 56; and Ryan Jenkins, 35; all of Fort Valley; Devontae Little, 26, of Warner Robins; and Arthur James Nance Jr., 46, of Cordele.

Johnson allegedly arranged to provide a prostitute to the six men, Cooke said.

The charge of conspiracy to commit fiduciary theft is the only felony charge against Johnson, said Amy Leigh Womack, officer of community engagement for the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. The charges against Harvey, Howard, Jenkins, Jones, Little and Nance are misdemeanors.

“We’re at the juncture where there was sufficient evidence to issue the warrants that were issued,” Cooke said at the news conference. “However, this is an ongoing investigation and prosecution, so it’s not over yet.”

Cooke said Johnson, Harvey, Howard, Jenkins, Jones, Little and Nance were notified of the warrants Friday morning. They all have reached an agreement with the District Attorney’s Office to turn themselves in Tuesday, Peach County Sheriff Terry Deese said in an email.

FVSU issued a statement Friday on the pending arrests of its two former employees:

“We appreciate the work of the GBI in conducting this investigation, which began in April 2018 when administrators received two separate reports alleging wrongdoing. The University System of Georgia ... in conjunction with FVSU began an immediate investigation in accordance with its policies. The USG notified Georgia’s Office of the Attorney General, and the case was ultimately referred to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

“FVSU has promised its students that their safety and security is our first priority, and we fully support the application of the judicial process. We have consistently and aggressively worked with the University System of Georgia and law enforcement to ensure that anyone who allegedly puts our students at risk is investigated thoroughly and expeditiously, and have advocated for the most appropriate standards to be applied. While we cannot comment on the details of an ongoing investigation, we expect anyone who has compromised the trust of our students to be held accountable with all deliberate speed.”

The district attorney’s office aided in the GBI probe at the request of the Georgia Attorney General’s Office.

Peyton Anderson fellow Jenna Eason contributed to this report.

This story was originally published October 19, 2018 at 11:31 AM.