Owner of P.E.I. foot clinic charged with voyeurism, other crimes

Warning: This story contains details some may find disturbing. A list of resources for people who have experienced sexual violence appears at the end.

The owner of a P.E.I. foot clinic embroiled in allegations that he was working as a podiatrist without any formal credentials has been charged by Charlottetown police with several crimes unrelated to his podiatry practice.

John Johnson, 26, wasarrested and charged withtrespassing, mischief, voyeurism and committing an indecent act.

"That type of disturbing behaviour, you don't know where it ends," said Charlottetown police Det.-Sgt. Darren MacDougall."So as a police agency, we were extremely diligent in our efforts to have the findings we did arrive at."

Police stressed the charges are unrelated to Johnson's podiatry work.

DNA places Johnson at scene, police say

Earlier this month, police received a complaint from a woman living in a ground-floor apartment.

The woman said she'd gone to bed with her bedroom window slightly open and her curtains closed. Shewoketo find a tree branch stuck in the window and its screen torn.

At the scene, police discovered semen on the siding below the window.

The next night, officers kept a close eye on the area and spotted Johnson near the apartment. Security footage viewed later showed him in the vicinitythe previous two nights as well, they said.

Atthe start of October, policecharged Johnson with trespassing at nightwhile they awaited the results of a DNA test.

Foot clinic owner facing disturbing criminal charges, Charlottetown police say

20 days ago

Duration 1:59

A warning: This video contains details some viewers may find disturbing. John Johnson, the person who CBC News recently reported was allegedly working as a podiatrist without any formal credentials, now faces criminal charges that are unrelated to his practice. CBC's Steve Bruce has the details.

MacDougall said last week that thoseresults confirmedthe semen policehad collected at the scene belonged to Johnson. He was arrested and charged on Friday with mischief, voyeurism and indecent acts.

He was released from jail but must wear an ankle monitoring bracelet and stay on his own property between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. each day. He is under noconditions that will prevent him from continuing to work.

Johnson did not know the victim, police said.He is due in court in late December to answer to thecharges.

CBC News reached out to Johnson for comment Monday, but did nothear back.

Under unrelated investigation

Meanwhile,Johnson continues to be under investigation by Charlottetown Police with respect to his foot-care clinic.

He is facing allegationsthat he called himself a doctor and performed medical procedures on hundreds of Islanders' feet without having any formal credentials.

This summer, P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office recommended that some of Johnson'sclientsget themselves tested for hepatitis and HIV due to cleaning and sterilization concerns at the clinic. Health officials described the risk as very low.

More than 75 people have since been tested for blood-borne infections.

P.E.I. recently passed provincial regulations for podiatry, and is among the last provinces in Canada to do so.

Resources and supports available to anyone who has experienced sexual violence:

• Rise P.E.I. / Phone or text: 902-218-6143
• P.E.I. Rape and Sexual Assault Centre / Call: 902-368-8055 or 1-888-368-8055
• Here is a list of sexual assault centres, crisis lines and support services elsewhere in Canada.