Eric Johnson, 61, of Valencia, was arrested by Department of Insurance detectives, at his place of employment in Lancaster, on two felony counts of insurance fraud and one felony count of child abuse after an incident with a student.

Johnson, a teacher for the Los Angeles County Office of Education, filed a workers’ compensation claim after an altercation with a 17-year-old minor at the Camp Mendenhall juvenile facility.

Johnson claimed the student initiated the altercation striking him in the jaw and lip. Johnson stated the minor then shoved him into a wall, but video evidence revealed Johnson actually instigated the physical altercation and assaulted the minor. Victim and witness statements corroborated the video evidence. According to the evidence, Johnson did not sustain any physical injuries.

The Los Angeles County Office of Education paid approximately $1,000 in losses because of Johnson’s allegedly fraudulent claim. Early discovery of Johnson’s claim likely prevented larger losses for the county.

Johnson was booked into the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detention facility. This case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office.