Second judge accepts sweetheart plea deal for Joplin gymnastics coach on statutory sodomy charges

Under a sweetheart plea bargain deal with the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office, Joplin gymnastics coach Kip Johnson may be free in four months after pleading guilty to two counts of statutory sodomy.

If that sounds familiar, it is because the deal is the same one Judge Dean Dankelson rejected March 6 in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Judge David Mouton accepted the deal during a hearing Monday. Under the provisions of the deal Johnson pleaded guilty to the two charges and was sentenced to five years on each charge with the sentences to run concurrently. A third charge, furnishing pornographic material to a minor, was dismissed.

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office agreed not to oppose placing Johnson in a sex offender program. If he successfully completes the program, he could be back on the streets in 120 days.

After Dankelson rejected the agreement, Johnson, who was represented by Joplin attorney Brian Glades, withdrew his guilty plea and the case was reassigned to Mouton.

Johnson also faces two counts of statutory sodomy in Newton County Circuit Court. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for June 14.

The allegations against Johnson in Jasper County were described in the probable cause statements filed in the two counties. The crimes Johnson pleaded guilty to took place in 2019.

Johnson began messaging the child through social media and text messages. The messages included Johnson asking (the boy) to send him sexually explicit pictures and/or videos of (himself).

During this period, Johnson began furnishing pornographic nude photos of himself to (the boy). (The victim) was 14 years old when Johnson began sending nude pictures of himself.

At Johnson's request, (the boy) sent nude pictures of himself through social media and text message. On the day of the incident, Johnson asked (the boy) through text message if he wanted to do "something," alluding to (the boy) having sexual intercourse after gymnastics practice on that Saturday.
Johnson volunteered to give (the boy) a ride home after practice. Johnson stopped at his other workplace, Freeman Rehabilitation and Sports Center at 2206 E. 32nd Street, Joplin, Newton County, Missouri, with (the boy).

Johnson told (him) to follow him into the building. (The boy) recalled entering the back entrance and Johnson putting in a code to shut off the alarm system. (The boy) recalled exact directions inside of the building where Johnson led him into an exam room on the first floor. Johnson kissed (the boy) and tugged on (his) shirt.

After that, the probable cause statement says Johnson performed a sex act on the boy, then had the boy perform a sex act on him.

The Jasper County probable cause statement notes Johnson's previous alleged assaults against the boy and an assault at Johnson's home.

The sexual assaults occurred in Joplin, Missouri and various locations where gymnastics competitions were held in the United States.

On the day of the incident, Johnson asked (the boy) to come to his home and alluded to him about having sexual intercourse. Johnson picked up the child and took the child to his home at 2502 S. Evan Wood Terrance, Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri, where (they engaged in a sex act and had intercourse) in his bedroom at the residence. (A graphic description is provided in the statement about the act.)

The boy) was able to remember specific details of Johnson's bedroom, including the color of his bed sheets and bedding.

A residential search warrant was executed of 2502 S Evan Wood Terrance on 02/02/2021. Johnson's bedding and sheets matched the description of (the boy's) disclosure. The items were placed into evidence. Detectives located lubricant used for sexual intercourse inside of the residence.