On June 9, 2026, the Alaska Bureau of Investigation’s Special Crimes Investigation Unit launched an investigation into a reported sexual assault that allegedly took place in 2024 involving a correctional officer and an adult female inmate at the Fairbanks Correctional Center.

Investigators determined that 47-year-old Nenana resident Richard Johnson, who was working as a correctional officer at the time, allegedly sexually assaulted the inmate inside a prisoner transportation vehicle in February 2024 while performing his official duties.

The investigation ultimately led to criminal charges against Johnson. On August 19, 2026, Johnson was remanded to the Fairbanks Correctional Center after being charged with Sexual Assault in the Third Degree.