Delay In Hearing Over Alleged Child Abuse By Battle Creek Man

The first preliminary appearance in Calhoun County court for a man charged with sexually abusing children has been delayed.

Donald Johnston had been set to appear in court Tuesday after being arraigned on nine counts of criminal sexual conduct, but his defense attorney asked for a delay because he claimed he didn’t have enough time to review records regarding the accusations from three alleged victims. The prosecution argued against it, but a judge granted the request.

A new hearing date has not yet been set.

The Battle Creek Enquirer says that according to police, Johnston gave the teenage girls drugs before sexually assaulting them over a period of several years.

He had been previously charged with repeatedly raping a 4-year-old boy, but those charges were dropped early this month because the prosecution says more investigation is required; Johnston could be charged again in that case.