Macon man faces molestation charges for incident involving neighborhood kids

Bibb County deputies are investigating a 41-year-old Macon man's interaction with children in his neighborhood.

Kenneth Hughes Johnston of 5000 Oxford Road has been charged with two counts of child molestation and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor after he allegedly provided alcohol to teenagers, according to the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.

The parents of two girls who returned home "under some form of intoxication" contacted deputies, prompting the investigation, sheriff's spokesman Lt. George Meadows said.

Investigator Mike Smallwood said the girls, ages 17 and 18, were at Johnston's house helping him build a hockey table when he provided them with alcohol. One of the girls was later taken to the hospital for treatment, he said.

Jail records show Johnston was arrested on New Year's Eve.

As a result of the investigation, Smallwood said other children came forward claiming Johnston had molested them.

He said the children were all male and spanned in age from 11 to 15.

One of the boys also claimed Johnston had provided him with alcohol, Smallwood said.

Johnston was released on $4,610 bond on Jan. 2 with the understanding that he would be prevented from having contact with children, according to jail records.

"He is not to contact any child under the age of 17," Smallwood said.

Smallwood said the investigation is ongoing as deputies interview other neighborhood children and friends of the family.

"We're still working on the timeline as to when all this got started," he said. "We expect there will be additional charges when the investigation is completed."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Bibb County Sheriff's Office at 746-9441 or Macon CrimeStoppers at (877) 68CRIME.

To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398.