FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: July 26, 2023
CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net
Salem, Ore. — Yesterday, July 25, detectives from the Salem Police Department Strategic Investigations and Special Victims Units arrested Edwin Paul Johnson of Springfield.
An investigation was launched when detectives learned Johnson, age 33, was engaging in multiple sexually explicit conversations and sending sexually explicit photos and videos to a 15-year-old girl in Salem using the social media platform Instagram.
Johnson, who was apprehended in Springfield, was lodged at the Marion County Jail on charges of luring a minor and second-degree online sexual corruption of a child. He is set to be arraigned today at the Marion County Criminal Court Annex at 2:30 p.m.
The Salem Police Department encourages the community to learn more about the resources available to help teens and parents work through the sometimes-difficult conversations concerning cell phones and social media. One example from local resource, Liberty House, is iRespect&Protect. The program includes trainings to help parents learn how to help their kids safely navigate the digital dangers online.
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Other resources for parents and teens:
• Marion County Youth & Family Crisis Services, 503-576-4673
• Polk County Behavioral Health, 503-623-9289
• Oregon YouthLine, 1-877-968-8491, or text “teen2teen” to 839863
• Sexting, Sending Nude Images, and Digital Life
• Removing an inappropriate photo from the Internet or social media
