ST. GEORGE, Utah (KUTV) -- Investigators believe former Washington County Sheriff's Office deputy Jeff Johnson illegally used law enforcement records for personal purposes and allegedly engaged in stalking.
An investigator with the Washington County Attorney's Office also believed further review was needed to determine whether former Sheriff Nate Brooksby influenced or interfered with the internal affairs or criminal investigation, according to investigative documents from the district attorney's and sheriff's offices.
Johnson was a detective with the Washington County Drug Task Force, and investigators believe the alleged misconduct occurred between September and October 2024.
Reports show investigators discovered Johnson used law enforcement databases -- including the Utah Criminal Justice Information System (UCJIS) and Spillman -- to access police reports, vehicle information, photos and personal information of individuals connected to a woman described by Brooksby as his lover.
On Oct. 17, 2025, Brooksby sent Johnson a Notice of Intent to Discipline, or NOI, following an internal investigation. The notice states Johnson "violated multiple policies" of the sheriff's office and the county and may have committed a criminal act related to UCJIS in violation of Utah Code 53-10-108.
"The results of this investigation are concerning, and I intend to take disciplinary actions, which may include termination of your employment," the notice states.
The NOI also states Johnson received training at least three times regarding the administrative and legal consequences of unauthorized use of UCJIS and Spillman.
"As part of that training, you signed and acknowledged that you understood our policy and state law regarding usage of UCJIS and Spillman, which you clearly violated. In addition, each time you log in to UCJIS, two separate user warnings appear," the notice states.
Witnesses said Johnson and his wife were in a sexual relationship with the woman in September and October 2024. One account said Johnson would stop by her home while on duty for 15 to 30 minutes at a time, and supervisors were allegedly aware.
In a witness statement, Sgt. O'Bray said there was a "running joke" in the Drug Task Force that no one knew where Johnson was and that if he needed to be found, he would be at a Maverik store on 1000 East, where he claimed to be watching for drug deals. O'Bray said he never saw investigative cases or results from those efforts.
Detective Breysen Lee gave a similar account, saying "there was a long-running joke in the Drug Task Force that no one ever knew where you [Johnson] were, and that it had been going on for quite some time."
Witness accounts also allege Johnson memorized the woman's license plates, threatened to have individuals arrested, texted photos of people's homes and was seen following vehicles from her residence.
Brooksby said Johnson's lover was also in a relationship with his brother, Casey Brooksby. An investigation submitted to the district attorney's office states Casey Brooksby was a witness who "provided statements to investigators advising his concerns about Deputy Johnson's behavior and possible stalking and harassment charges."
Casey Brooksby told investigators he shared his concerns with his brother, though the sheriff did not recuse himself from the investigation.
Following a pre-determination meeting with Johnson, Brooksby wrote, "I find that the original concern about the possibility of a UCJIS/BCI violation is unfounded," citing Johnson’s routine use of the systems for drug task force work.
However, in December 2025, after a criminal investigation, Undersheriff Barry Golding issued a termination notice stating Johnson violated UCJIS and Spillman agreements and policies and was terminated effective immediately. Golding wrote that Johnson did not attend a hearing or provide a statement explaining his absence.
Utah law requires law enforcement agencies to refer criminal investigations involving officers to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, or BCI, and Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, when criminal activity is suspected. Lt. Kory Klotz of the Washington City Police Department submitted the Johnson case to BCI, which then forwarded it to POST.
Investigative documents indicate Brooksby told POST about the case by phone, but there is no evidence he formally filed it, which could warrant suspension, according to the attorney.
Investigators said it remains unclear whether Brooksby formally reported the Johnson case to POST.
In a letter, Brooksby wrote, "I personally called DPS Commissioner Mason and explained the situation. He indicated he did not see an issue with my position. He wanted me to double check with the POST director. I called Travis Rees and explained the situation. He also did not see an issue with my position on the IA."
A later version of the letter shows Justin Grenier edited it to add a line stating Brooksby agreed to send the report to POST for review.
The Washington County attorney investigating Brooksby was later told to stop the investigation due to a "conflict of interest" stemming from personal relationships with the sheriff.
The attorney submitted an anonymous letter and investigative report to the Public Corruption Unit in the Utah Attorney General's Office, but the office declined to open an investigation.
"Based on my investigation, I believe there are individuals that, if contacted and interviewed, would be able to provide direct knowledge and information. The allegations warrant further investigation,"
the investigator wrote.
Sergeant Lucas Alfred with the Washington County Sheriff's Office said he could not comment on the Johnson case because criminal litigation was still pending. However, he said, "We take all allegations of UCJIS misuse very seriously. They are always investigated."