Eastern Kentucky custodian accused of giving child illegal drugs at elementary school

A school custodian has been charged with giving a student drugs at May Valley Elementary School in Floyd County.

Joshua Johnson, 39, is accused of giving a child a package of earrings Wednesday that contained eight suboxone pills, according to court records. Suboxone is most often used to treat opioid addiction.

Johnson was booked into jail on Thursday. The school district placed him on administrative leave, Superintendent Tonya Horne-Williams said in a news release posted on Facebook.

Johnson is charged with second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, and unlawful transaction with a minor under 16.

A Floyd County District Court judge set Johnson’s bond at $50,000 Friday. If he posts bond, he cannot have contact with children or be on school property, according to court documents.

Johnson was still in the Floyd County jail Friday afternoon.

Floyd County Schools Resource Officers “took swift action,” according to the news release posted by the Floyd County schools superintendent, and sheriff’s officials arrested the custodian.

District officials said they couldn’t provide additional details but were cooperating with law enforcement authorities.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

This story was originally published February 7, 2025 at 10:03 AM.