Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Bailiff of ex-judge Halverson gets 10 years in girl’s assault

Johnnie Jordan

Johnnie Jordan

A district court judge sentenced the bailiff of former Judge Elizabeth Halverson to 10 years to life in prison Wednesday for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.

Johnnie Jordan, 40, of Las Vegas, was facing multiple felony counts, including sexual assault with a minor, sexually motivated coercion and open or gross lewdness after an encounter with the teenage girl at her home. Jordan was a family friend, records show.

According to a North Las Vegas Police arrest report, the girl told police she was in her bedroom Feb. 13, texting on her phone, when Jordan, who was visiting the girl’s family along with his mother and his ex-fiancee, entered her bedroom. He began to tickle her and kiss her neck and ears, she told police, before committing unwanted sexual acts against her, the police report said.

Jordan pleaded guilty March 29 to one count of lewdness in connection with the sexual assault.

He appeared before District Court Judge Doug Smith today and said he was forced to agree with the guilty plea, insisting that the system had treated him unfairly because the court was his place of employment.

"I'm sorry for this day; I'm very embarrassed," Jordan said. "I ask to postpone."

He said he shouldn't be charged with sexual assault with a child 14 years or younger because the girl wasn't younger than 14 at the time of the assault. Prosecutor Mary Kay Holthus said counsels agreed on that count instead of charging him with sexual assault of a minor 16 years or younger. Either way, he will be labeled as a minor offender, Holthus said.

Smith denied Jordan's request to postpone and listened to the family of the victim speak before handing down a sentence.

Jordan was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison with lifetime supervision and is required to register as a sex offender if released. In Nevada, the maximum penalty for lewdness with a child under 14 is life in prison. He will receive 108 days in credit served.

The mother of the 14-year-old girl stood in front of the judge with a shaky voice and tears in her eyes.

"I feel like my home has been a really bad horror movie," she said. "The impact on my family has been heartbreaking."

The girl's mother said Jordan should never be allowed around children again. Her son agreed.

"I can't really sleep at night," he said. "You can't hurt my family and not hurt me."

The victim was also in the courtroom but didn't want to speak.

Jordan served as Halverson’s bailiff until Halverson removed him and brought in two unlicensed individuals to be her bodyguards. Halverson was kicked off the bench in November 2008 after being suspended in July 2007.

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