The chief of a Long Neck rescue squad faces charges after a part-time employee says he groped her.

On May 29, Jerry A. Johnson, 46, of Millsboro was charged by Delaware State Police with third-degree unlawful sexual contact and sexual harassment threat to engage in conduct that would result in sex offense. According to court documents, Johnson pleaded not guilty to both charges. He was released on $600 unsecured bond pending a court appearance in Sussex County Court of Common Pleas on July 3.

Court documents describe events leading up to Johnson's arrest:

A 25-year-old woman, who had worked part time as an emergency medical technician for the Mid-Sussex Rescue Squad for three years, reported to work May 2 with three others, including Johnson, emergency medical services chief for the Long Neck Station.

After two employees left on a call, the woman remained in Johnson's office making small talk. That's when, court records state, Johnson asked her to lift up her shirt and show him her breasts. She said she tried to change the subject, but Johnson kept asking. She felt uncomfortable and said, “this was not a joking situation.”

The woman left Johnson's office and went to a crew room, records state, but Johnson followed her and continued to harass her. She said she told Johnson to stop, but he grabbed her and pulled up her shirt. Johnson groped the woman quickly and aggressively, causing her to take a moment to gain her composure, records state. The woman pushed Johnson away and she walked away.

The woman contacted the president of the station by email two times, but got no response, court records state.

Police contacted Johnson by telephone informing him to report to Troop 7, records state, but Johnson told police “he was in Milford with family and that he would not be coming in or giving further information to his exact location.”

A woman who answered the telephone June 1 at Mid-Sussex Rescue Squad Station 91 in Long Neck said Johnson was on vacation.

Station President Raymond Johnson could not be reached for comment. Mid-Sussex Rescue Squad is an independent ambulance squad that serves Sussex County.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Co. released the following statement regarding Johnson’s arrest:

“The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company provides fire fighting and rescue services to the Long Neck and Oak Orchard areas of Sussex County. The Mid-Sussex Rescue Squad happens to provide ambulance and emergency medical services to many of these same areas.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was saddened to learn of Johnson’s arrest but wishes to make it crystal clear that the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company and the Mid-Sussex Rescue Squad are two completely separate and distinct private entities that are in no way affiliated with one another.

Further, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company wishes to make it crystal clear that Jerry A. Johnson is not now and has never been a member of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company and that none of the allegations lodged against him have anything whatsoever to do with the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company also wishes to make it crystal clear that it has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct or bullying in any form including sexual harassment, and has policies and procedures to swiftly and severely deal with any such allegations within its own organization.”