NORTHLAND (MI)
Duluth News Tribune [Duluth MN]
August 18, 2025
By Tom Olsen
The Embarrass man allegedly confessed to deputies, saying there was probably “some grooming” and admitting he had prior concerns that he may sexually harm girls.
VIRGINIA — An Embarrass man who has served as a teacher and church leader is accused of sexually assaulting a child.
Ryan Ross Denzer-Johnson, 43, was charged Monday with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct against a child under the age of 14.
Denzer-Johnson has worked as a math teacher at Mesabi East Schools in Aurora and Northeast Range School in Babbitt in recent years, according to public records, but is no longer employed at either.
Prosecutors said he has also recently served in youth ministry and on the advisory board at an unspecified church.
The alleged victim is known to Denzer-Johnson, and the incidents are unrelated to either his work or volunteer roles.
A criminal complaint says the girl participated in a forensic interview last week. She recalled a period around March 2023 during which she said Denzer-Johnson would sexually touch her, sometimes multiple times a day.
The girl also recalled a similar incident at a later date, with the complaint alleging the conduct occurred at any point up until July 2024.
Denzer-Johnson also allegedly admitted to his wife earlier this month that he had sexually assaulted the girl “two years ago, and it ended one year ago,” the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office learned.
The complaint says Denzer-Johnson was interviewed Thursday and admitted to repeatedly touching the child. He allegedly recalled three specific incidents but stated, “I can’t tell you that that never happened other times.”
Denzer-Johnson additionally told law enforcement that he “can’t guarantee that there wasn’t like some grooming before (because) there probably was,” according to a memorandum from St. Louis County prosecutor Amber Pederson.
He allegedly described having prior concerns that he could sexually harm girls.
“Despite being aware for some time that he was prone to sexually assault minor females, (the) defendant put himself in positions with access to minor females,” Peterson told the court.
Judge Bhupesh Pattni granted the prosecutor’s request to set unconditional bail at $300,000, or $100,000 with several pretrial release conditions.
Denzer-Johnson has been a licensed math teacher for grades 5-12 in Minnesota since 2014, according to state records.
He resigned from Northeast Range in 2023 to join Mesabi East, and has also been involved in leading robotics programs at both Iron Range schools.
Mesabi East Superintendent Jeff Burgess described Denzer-Johnson as a “former employee” and said the district learned of his arrest Thursday.
“Law enforcement has been in communication with the district and informed us that the alleged conduct was not related to their employment at Mesabi East School District,” Burgess told the News Tribune. “We understand that this news may cause concern, and we want to reassure our community that the safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority.”
Denzer-Johnson was scheduled to make another court appearance next Monday.
| To get help If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. First Witness Child Advocacy Center: 218-727-8353, firstwitness.org/contact-us National Sexual Assault Hotline:24/7 hotline: 800-656-4673 Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASDA):serves Duluth, Superior and Ashland, Bayfield and Douglas counties; 24/7 hotline 800-649-2921; submit a help request at casda.org/get-help Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA):serves southern St. Louis County; 24/7 hotline 218-726-1931 Sexual Assault Program of Northern St. Louis County:serves northern St. Louis County; 218-749-4725; leave a message and an advocate will be contacted 24/7 Family Pathways:serves Carlton and Pine counties; 24/7 hotline 800-338-7233 Support Within Reach:serves Aitkin and Itasca counties; hotline 866-747-5008 North Shore Horizons:serves Lake County; 24/7 hotline 218-834-5924 Violence Prevention Center:serves Cook County; 24/7 hotline 218-387-1237 Friends Against Abuse:serves Koochiching County; 24/7 hotline 888-344-3264 Fond du Lac Reservation:24/7 hotline 218-348-1817 Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa:Grand Portage Human Services 218-475-2453 Bois Forte Tribal Government–Victim Services Program:emergency cell 218-248-0067 |
By Tom Olsen
Tom Olsen covers crime and courts and the 8th Congressional District for the Duluth News Tribune since 2013. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth and a lifelong resident of the city. Readers can contact Olsen at 218-723-5333 or tolsen@duluthnews.com.