An ex-gym teacher and girls’ basketball coach in the Bronx allegedly took advantage of his position to commit a heinous act. Prosecutors revealed in an indictment that Jayvone Johnson, 35, brought his 14-year-old student to a motel after a game and raped her.
The indictment, announced by Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, includes charges of second-degree rape and sexual abuse. The victim was a former player on the girls’ basketball team that Johnson coached at Icahn Charter School 2 in the Van Nest neighborhood.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Johnson was working as a “physical education specialist” and a middle school basketball coach at the time of the incident, which occurred a year prior to his arrest in December.
The assault took place on December 23, 2024, when Johnson allegedly approached the teen after a basketball game and convinced her to go to the JetSet Motel near Third Avenue and East 184th Street, where he raped her.
Johnson also held the role of program director at the after-school New York Junior Tennis & Learning program while working at the charter school. He described his work with middle schoolers as a passion on his LinkedIn profile.
Describing his aspirations to help students achieve their dreams, Johnson wrote, “I want to recruit kids to places where I believe they may fit in and gain a wonderful experience.”
The Icahn Charter School 2 confirmed that Johnson is no longer employed by the school following his arrest. District Attorney Clark condemned Johnson’s actions, stating that he had betrayed the trust placed in him as a basketball coach.
Johnson is scheduled to appear in court on April 21 to face the charges against him.
