Teacher Held in Attempted Sexual Assault

A Manassas school band teacher has been charged with trying to sexually assault a 13-year-old girl, authorities said yesterday.

Ted T. Johnson, 48, of Stafford County has taught band at Mayfield Intermediate School and Osbourn High School since 1988 and is the band instructor at the high school, Manassas schools spokeswoman Almeta Radford said yesterday. After his arrest Thursday, Johnson was suspended from all duties and he was barred from school property and from having contact with students, Radford said.

Johnson was arrested after a 13-year-old, who is not a relative, said he attempted to sexually assault her, Stafford County Sheriff's Office spokesman Bill Kennedy said. Johnson is charged with misdemeanor sexual battery and attempted custodial indecent liberties with a child. He was being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

Superintendent Gail Pope sent a letter to parents yesterday to inform them and said she was "distressed and saddened" by the charges.

Search warrants filed in Prince William County Circuit Court show that authorities searched Johnson's offices at both schools for "any visually explicit materials related to the production and possession of child pornography or sexually explicit materials involving children." At Mayfield, authorities seized a computer, and at Osbourn, they took two computers and several videotapes, including one labeled with a girl's name followed by "Grade 9."

The sheriff's office said it is investigating whether there are any other victims and asked anyone with information to call 540-658-4450.