A second woman says a Salvation Army supervisor sexually assaulted her at a Denver homeless shelter, according to a newly filed lawsuit. The allegations describe a workplace where the plaintiff says she feared losing her job if she resisted or reported what happened. They also raise fresh questions about how the shelter operator screened and supervised employees serving vulnerable residents.
The woman, identified only as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, says the incident happened at the former Aspen shelter at 4040 Quebec Street one day before another March 2025 assault allegation involving Billy Johnson. Johnson faces two kidnapping counts, four sexual assault counts, a sexual contact count and other assault charges, with a jury trial scheduled for January 2027, according to The Denver Post.
Johnson was arrested in March 2025 after a different woman accused him of sexually assaulting her at the same shelter. In coverage by CBS Colorado, the Salvation Army said Johnson had cleared its background-check process and noted that Colorado law limits how far back many criminal records can be searched.
New Lawsuit Details Alleged Attack And Delayed Reporting
A complaint reviewed by The Denver Post alleges Johnson asked Jane Doe to step outside for a work-related matter before sexually assaulting and restraining her, then trying to pull her into his vehicle. The lawsuit says surveillance cameras recorded the incident and that a co-worker tried to report it that night. It also alleges the plaintiff returned to work the next day because she feared losing her job and later vomited repeatedly.
The civil case accuses the Salvation Army of negligent hiring and of failing to respond appropriately after the earlier incident. It alleges multiple employees either witnessed that assault or understood that something was seriously wrong, while the organization did not contact law enforcement that night or the following day. The complaint further argues that a Colorado Bureau of Investigation check costing roughly $6 would have revealed Johnson’s prior convictions, including felony kidnapping and sexual assault.
Salvation Army Shelters Remain Under Denver Scrutiny
The lawsuit arrives after months of public criticism over safety and oversight at Salvation Army-run shelters. Denverite reported that the mayor’s office planned regular unannounced inspections while defending the nonprofit as a longtime service provider. City records also show the Salvation Army’s Crossroads shelter lease at 1901 29th Street was extended through December 31, meaning the organization remains part of Denver’s shelter network.
Earlier concerns were not limited to employee screening. A prior Hoodline audit report detailed delays in hiring security for the former DoubleTree shelter and noted that the city had budgeted $807,000 for that work. The latest lawsuit now puts alleged staff conduct, internal reporting and background checks at the center of the debate.
Criminal Charges And Civil Claims Are Still Pending
Johnson’s criminal case and the new civil lawsuit are separate proceedings, and the allegations have not been proven in court. Johnson is presumed innocent unless convicted, while the civil claims against the Salvation Army will be resolved through a different legal process. The filing nevertheless gives Denver officials and shelter operators another reason to examine whether safety policies are working for people who have few alternatives.
