Paramedic Charged With Sexual Battery

A violation of trust leads to the dismissal and criminal charges against a veteran Hamilton County paramedic.

The accusations were made by a woman who needed an ambulance. She said that on July 25 while on the way to a hospital 40-year-old Michael Lamar Johnston fondled her and took a picture of her private parts.

The Hamilton County grand jury just returned a two-count indictment against Johnston.

This case casts a black eye on Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services, which has on many occasions been recognized for excellent, compassionate and professional patient care.

When you call 911 you expect the paramedics to be professional and respectful during a time you and your privacy are highly vulnerable. You do not expect a paramedic to take advantage of your vulnerability by being touched in a sexual way or having pictures made of your private areas.

But that's what now-former Hamilton County paramedic Johnston is accused of doing.

"This situation should never have happened, it is a violation of our policy," Director of Hamilton County Emergency Services Don Allen said.

People familiar with the investigation said a female accused Johnston of lifting her shirt while she was in his ambulance, fondling her breasts and then snapping a picture of her chest with his cell phone camera. They said Johnston thought the female was either unconscious or in an altered state of consciousness.

The grand jury found Johnston "…did unlawfully and intentionally engage in sexual contact with [female name deleted] and the defendant knew or had reason to know that the victim was mentally incapacitated or physically helpless at the time of the offense."

"I think males or females have the right to expect that when they are in our care they can trust us," Director Allen said.

Johnston was last assigned to work out of the EMS station on Highway 58. He was fired almost immediately after the accusations and is now charged with sexual battery and unlawful photographing in violation of privacy.

Director Allen said the accusations are extremely rare and he wants to reassure the public they will be treated with respect.

"They need to know they can trust us, this situation happened, we addressed it and Lord willing it won't happen again," Director Allen said.

Johnston is scheduled to face Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern on September 17. If convicted he could get probation or 1-2 years in prison along with having his Tennessee license to practice emergency medicine revoked.

Director Allen said he doesn't believe the photograph of the woman's chest was uploaded to  the Internet or forwarded to anyone else.