Stephen Decatur Basketball Head Coach Byron Johnson has all charges Dismissed in Worcester County

Worcester County, MD - It was announced this morning on Eastern Shore Undercover, Bryon "BJ" Johnson, Stephen Decatur's High School Boys Basketball coach, has been acquitted on all charges of sexual offenses against a minor in Worcester County, Maryland.

Ocean Pines Police charged BJ Johnson on January 7, 2026 with two counts of sex offense and one count second-degree assault. Ocean Pines Police responded to the home of a woman, who was identified as Johnson's former girlfriend, and an investigation began.

The former girlfriend alleged that her 8-year old daughter was touched inappropriately by Johnson while she was not home.

Johnson has denied all wrongdoing from the start of the investigation. Johnson called Eastern Shore Undercover owner Earl Campbell this morning and expressed his and his families appreciation on how this incident was handled on Eastern Shore Undercover. We spoke on the phone for approximately 15 minutes and he is eager to get back to living his life and coaching basketball.

BJ Johnson also released an official statement stating the following: "First, all praise to God for his guidance and giving me strength to persevere. I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude for the guidance and strength I have received. I am deeply appreciative of the steadfast support from my children, family, friends, and community. Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to working with children and young people to help better their lives. I never would have anticipated facing the challenge of proving my innocence against such horrible lies. This experience has revealed significant flaws within the justice system and heightened my awareness of the reality that many innocent individuals are incarcerated. The conditions within these facilities are often inadequate, and enduring confinement for extended periods of time is particularly difficult, especially for those who are innocent. Looking ahead, I am committed to contributing positively to my community. I intend to volunteer with organizations such as the Innocence Project, which strive to prevent wrongful convictions and advocate for the rights of the innocent."

We also received a statement earlier today from Worcester County State's Attorney Kris Heiser. Mrs. Heiser stated the following: "After Mr. Johnson's arrest, and as a part of their ongoing investigation, police uncovered reliable digital forensic evidence contradicting witness accounts, leaving the State with insufficient evidence to proceed with prosecution. Accordingly, and consistent with our ethical obligations, the State entered a nolle prosequi on all criminal charges against Mr. Johnson this morning. The State will not be prosecuting this matter."

Johnson was represented throughout this incident by Attorney Ryan Bodley. Bodley reached out this morning on behalf of Byron Johnson and provided us with a quote: "On January 8, 2026, Mr. Johnson was wrongfully arrested for a crime he did not commit. Despite having been fully cooperative with law enforcement, and providing them with the identity of alibi witnesses and his cell phone containing his location data in support of his alibi, Mr. Johnson was arrested, held without bond and spent nearly three weeks in the Worcester County Jail. Mr. Johnson is not just a victim of false allegations; he is also a victim of a rushed and deeply flawed investigation. Cell phone data and eyewitness testimony have unequivocally exonerated Mr. Johonson.

On the one hand we are grateful the State fully investigated this matter and have cleared Mr. Johnson's name. On the other hand, it is a grave miscarriage of justice that the full investigation was not undertaken until after Mr. Johnson was arrested, held without bond and had his reputation tarnished. Mr. Johnson's case is a textbook example of why we cannot rush to judgment until all facts come to light. The rush to judgment in this case has harmed an innocent man's stellar reputation in the community and brought pain and suffering to an innocent man and his family. Mr. Johnson is now focused on repairing his reputation and returning to his normal life . Whatever decisions Mr. Johnson makes going forward, I'm sure will be in the best interest of his family and community. We are hopeful that those responsible for these false allegations will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."