Former Esky Hockey Coach Sentencing Postponed

A former area teacher and high school hockey coach will be sentenced for several sex crimes next week.

46-year-old Ward Johnsen was scheduled to be sentenced today in Escanaba.

But it’s been postponed until January 13th.

In November, he pleaded guilty to 4 different counts — aggravated indecent exposure, attempted accosting of children for immoral purposes, attempted use of computers to commit a crime and attempted distribution of sexually explicit matter to children.

Those are all misdemeanors.

The investigation started last March when a victim came forward.

Johnsen resigned from both his teaching and coaching jobs at that point, and he turned himself in back in August.

Johnsen used to teach at Escanaba Middle School.

He served as the high school’s hockey coach twice, most recently last season.