William Eugene Johnson, 38, of Howell — fired from 2|42 Church in Brighton in September 2024 after placing a video recording device inside a unisex restroom — was sentenced Thursday to a minimum of 68 months and a maximum of 20 years in prison by Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Matthew McGiveny.
In April, Johnson pleaded guilty to 15 charges: one count of child sexually abusive activity; two counts of possessing child sexually abusive material; seven counts of using a computer to commit a crime; one count of tampering with evidence; and four counts of surveilling an unclothed person.
A church staff member had found the video recording device in a bathroom of the church’s Brighton campus at 7526 Grand River Ave.; that particular bathroom was intended for use by church staff and volunteers, and is not readily accessible to the public. Johnson admitted to church leadership that he had placed the video recording device in the bathroom; he was immediately fired, and 2|42 Church leadership immediately contacted the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives learned that Johnson confessed to 2|42 church leadership to placing the camera in the bathroom with the intent of recording individuals without their knowledge. A search warrant was executed at Johnson’s home by detectives, and all electronic devices were seized.
Johnson was then arrested at his home and lodged at the Livingston County Jail. While being interviewed by detectives, Johnson admitted to placing the camera in the church bathroom, and said that he had done so intermittently for the past two years, targeting specific individuals known to use that specific bathroom.
