BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – A 58-year-old Broward County principal was arrested Tuesday for impersonating a deputy during a traffic stop on the Florida Turnpike, where he also claimed to be the cousin of basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, authorities confirmed.
According to an arrest report from the Florida Highway Patrol, a trooper was stationary in a marked vehicle when he observed a gray Kia Stinger with dark tinted windows and an altered license plate heading southbound near Mile Marker 54 just after 4:30 p.m.
5 p.m. report:
Authorities said the plate, which read “AYOORD,” raised suspicion, prompting the trooper to initiate a traffic stop.
When the trooper approached the vehicle, he noticed the driver, identified as Karlton Odell Johnson, opening a wallet with a gold star inside, according to investigators.
Johnson then claimed, “I am an officer; I am an officer,” and continued to insist he was “one of you” when asked for his driver’s license and vehicle registration, FHP wrote in the report.
Johnson also stated, “I thought we treat each other better,” and referred to himself as a deputy, the report stated.
Investigators said the FHP trooper noticed that Johnson was displaying a badge for the Broward Sheriff’s Office, leading him to initially believe that Johnson was a deputy.
However, after further questioning, authorities said Johnson admitted he was not a full-time deputy and stated he was a reserve deputy and related to basketball player Shaquille O’Neal.
The trooper then contacted the Broward Sheriff’s Office to verify Johnson’s claims, only to discover that Johnson was not affiliated with the agency in any official capacity, according to the report.
Authorities said the badge Johnson presented was labeled “Honorary” and was not an official law enforcement badge.
Additionally, BSO officials confirmed that Johnson did not have a CCN number, which is assigned to all current and former law enforcement personnel, the report stated.
Jail records show Johnson is facing one count of fraudulently impersonating a police officer.
Johnson was Broward County’s Principal of the Year while working at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach.
Below is the work history for Johnson, provided by the Broward School district’s human resources department:
- 7-01-2023 to current – Principal, Alternative Education, Cypress Run Education Center
- 7-01-2022 - 6-30-2023 – Director, CTACE, Career, Technical & Adult/Community Education
- 7-01-2008 - 6-30-2022 – Principal, Blanche Ely High
- 9-06-2005 - 6-30-2008 – Assistant Principal, Dillard High
- 7-11-2005 - 9-05-2005 – Assistant Principal, Monarch High
- 7-20-2004 - 7-10-2005 – Acting/Interim Assistant Principal, Blanche Ely High
Although Johnson didn’t have much to say to Local 10 News after posting his $2,500 bond, his attorney, Johnny McCray Jr., addressed reporters after his client’s release.
“Sometimes when people know people, they say, well, look… ‘I’m a friend of this person, or that person — hopefully they’ll get a break.’ That’s not illegal,”' McCray said. “I think everything was just a mix-up… it was confusion. I think it’s something that’ll work out favorably.”
The Broward School District confirmed that Johnson has been reassigned pending the outcome of the investigation.
John J. Sullivan, Chief Communications and Legislative Affairs Officer of Broward County Public Schools released the following statement to Local 10 News in regard to Johnson’s employment, which you can read here:
“The employee in question will be reassigned pending the outcome of the law enforcement investigation. In the interim, the assistant principal will assume responsibility for the school to ensure continuity of leadership and operations.”