Man involved in setting up charter schools arrested, fired

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A high-ranking Milwaukee educator has been arrested and subsequently fired from his job. 46-year-old Ronnie Johnson was arrested on Friday, July 26th, and jail documents indicate seven charges, but give no specifics or severity of the accusations.

Johnson has not yet been formally charged.

Johnson was the Vice President of Education for the Midwest Region of Universal Companies, and played a role in preparing a north side school to open in August.

In a news release, the nonprofit organization said after learning of his arrest, Johnson was fired.

A neighbor told FOX6 News he observed police collecting items for Johnson's home for about four hours.

That neighbor didn't want to be identified, but told FOX6 News Johnson was quiet, and didn't bother anybody.

"As far as I'm concerned, Ron Johnson was a neighbor like anyone else. I did see the police remove a lot of evidence from the house. Many young boys were there quite frequently playing basketball in the driveway," the neighbor said.

FOX6 News spoke with the educator back in 2002 during his time working for the charter school, the YMCA Young Leaders Academy. Johnson held a position there from 1999 to 2012.

Now, he's out of a job, and could find himself facing charges in the court system.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office has confirmed with FOX6 News they are reviewing the allegations and no time table for a charging decision is available.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this story.