A former Broward County principal who previously won "Principal of the Year" was arrested for allegedly impersonating a police officer. Karlton Johnson, 58, was taken into custody by the Florida Highway Patrol yesterday, as per reports from NBC Miami. Johnson, who currently serves as the principal of the Cypress Run Education Center in Pompano Beach, faced the accusation following a traffic stop that occurred on the Florida Turnpike in Davie.
During the stop, the trooper reported that Johnson attempted to assert a law enforcement identity, notably displaying a badge and stating, "I am an officer, I am an officer." Despite this claim, the trooper continued to request identification and documentation, to which Johnson insisted, "I am one of you, I am one of you, you hear me?" and lamented, "I thought we treat each other better," according to the arrest report detailed by NBC Miami. Further investigation quickly confirmed that he was not affiliated with any law enforcement agency.
Johnson is known for his achievements in education, particularly during his tenure at Blanche Ely High School, where he reportedly helped raise the graduation rate to 90 percent. This accomplishment was a contributing factor to his recognition as one of South Florida’s 50 Most Powerful and Influential Leaders in 2024 by Legacy Broward and Palm Beach. WSVN reports that Johnson also claimed to be a reserve deputy and a relative of NBA star Shaquille O’Neal during the incident.
Despite his previous accolades and community stature, Johnson now faces the legal repercussions of his actions. A judge has since set his bond at $2,500 after he was detained and arrested. Meanwhile, the Broward County Public Schools have taken swift action, stating, "The employee in question will be reassigned pending the outcome of the law enforcement investigation," and ensured that an Assistant Principal will step in to ensure continuity of leadership and operations. This statement was obtained by both NBC Miami and WSVN.
