A Former NYC Teacher Accused of Raping Student
A 34-year-old former teacher in New York City has been accused of raping a 14-year-old female student in 2024. The individual, identified as Jayborn Johnson, was a physical education teacher and basketball coach at Icahn Charter School No. 2.
Johnson was taken into custody on December 21, and the school has confirmed that he is no longer employed there.
In addition to his teaching roles, Johnson had been the program director for the after-school New York Junior Tennis & Learning program, a position he held until March 2024.
Reportedly, Johnson had expressed that working with middle school students helped him develop “patience and attract young people” and he aimed to assist his students in gaining admission to universities to achieve their aspirations.
It’s alleged that he took the student to a motel called the Jet Set Hotel, where the incident occurred. Authorities have charged him with several offenses, including rape, sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, and endangering a child’s welfare.
Johnson was released on his own recognizance, as noted in some reports. Meanwhile, police have shared his picture to reach out to potential other victims.
According to reports, Johnson has no prior criminal history. His parents were apparently shocked to learn about the allegations following the notification from the school.
One parent, Gabby Mendoza, shared her frustrations, noting how it feels like there should be more transparency and action taken when such incidents occur. “It seems like they’re not really addressing it properly,” she added.
The charter school did not clarify when Johnson was dismissed or when school officials became aware of the allegations, but confirmed that he is no longer part of their staff.
Officials stated that Johnson turned himself in and maintains his innocence regarding the accusations. A parent expressed relief that he is no longer at the school but also conveyed the alarm and frustration surrounding the incident, noting how such issues should not be taken lightly.
