Teacher Pleads Not Guilty To Rape Charge

VALLEJO, Calif. (AP) -- A Vallejo special education teacher has pleaded not guilty to a charge of raping a developmentally disabled teachers' aide.

Solano County prosecutors say 56-year-old Jerry Johnson entered the plea during his arraignment on Tuesday. Deputy District Attorney Andrew Ganz says the charge against Johnson comes with an enhancement of great bodily injury because the girl is pregnant.

Johnson is accused of attacking the 18-year-old during school hours at the end of February at Loma Vista Elementary School, where he taught. Her parents reported the alleged rape in June.

Authorities say the girl, who has the mental capacity of a 7-year-old, was assisting Johnson with other developmentally disabled students.

Johnson has been put on paid administrative leave from the school. School officials say the parents of students in the district are being notified of his arrest.

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