Hendersonville Standard
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Former coach pleads guilty to lesser theft charge




The former Hendersonville High School coach charged in May with using team funds to make personal purchases has pleaded guilty in Sumner County General Sessions Court to a lesser theft charge.

Drew Johnson, 40, was removed as head coach of the HHS girls’ basketball team and suspended without pay from teaching on Jan. 23 after admitting to school staff that he used team funds to buy items like basketball shoes for his daughter and shirts for a personal baseball team, according to a police affidavit.

The affidavit also stated that Hendersonville police received documents detailing questionable purchases using school funds by Johnson totaling $1,833.83 – including multiple orders between November 2015 and November 2017 “that constituted a continuing course of conduct of purchases of shoes and clothing items that were not school colors and excessive for coaching use.”

Johnson was charged May 9 with theft over $1,000, a Class E felony. He turned himself into police on May 10, and was released from the Sumner County Jail on a $2,500 bond.

The former coach pleaded guilty on June 13 to theft up to $1,000, a Class A misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in jail – all of which was suspended. Johnson was also given an 11-month, 29-day probation term and was ordered to pay restitution to the school. The amount of restitution is yet to be determined.

According to Sumner County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Dean, prosecutors are still determining how much money Johnson owes because he has already paid some of the money back. 

“I’ve already verified he has paid some of the money back,” said Dean. “We’re just trying to make sure of the exact amount.”

Dean said that Johnson had no prior record and has agreed to pay back the full amount taken.

“He’s been trying to do some of the right things to make up for it,” Dean added.

Lisa Sweeney, internal audit director for Sumner County Schools, reported the alleged theft to Hendersonville police on Jan. 24.

“We pursue prosecution and restitution when someone takes money from the schools,” said Sumner County Schools Spokesman Jeremy Johnson. “Especially when it’s school activity funds that come directly from fundraisers and out of parents’ pockets.”

Drew Johnson had taught and coached at the school since the fall of 2014. He resigned from his teaching position earlier this year.

To view previous stories:

www.hendersonvillestandard.com/former-hhs-basketball-coach-charged-with-theft/article_6300fecc-65e5-11e8-a157-8b31559321df.html

www.hendersonvillestandard.com/sports/summitt-disciple-johnson-finds-home-at-hendersonville/article_41c3c032-c420-5289-be9c-cedb00cb2425.html

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