Ryan Johnson, the principal at Enterprise High School in Redding, California, was arrested on Saturday night following a disturbance outside his home. The incident, according to Johnson, was a custody dispute with his ex-wife, which escalated when police were called to the scene.
Johnson explained that his daughter, experiencing anxiety, had asked her mother (his ex-wife) to pick her up. Johnson, who admits he had been drinking, said that his ex-wife arrived unexpectedly at his home, prompting a dispute between them. Seeking to mediate the situation and understand the reason for his ex-wife’s presence, Johnson called the Redding Police Department.
When officers arrived at the scene, they instructed Johnson to stay inside his house. He complied initially but later stepped outside while police were questioning his ex-wife. That action led to his arrest for failing to follow the officers’ orders.
Johnson was booked into the Shasta County Jail but was released later that night under his own recognizance.
The Superintendent of the Shasta Union High School District, Jim Cloney, responded to the incident by confirming that Johnson would be taking time off work to address the matter. Cloney mentioned that no decision had been made regarding Johnson’s return to work, but noted that Johnson intended to continue serving as principal for many years.
Johnson has stated that he plans to take at least a week off before returning to his role at Enterprise High School and intends to send an email to parents explaining the situation.
