Former Sanger officer sues city, police commander for sexual harassment
A former Sanger police officer is suing the city and a commanding officer, alleging in a lawsuit that he faced retaliation for not engaging in sexual acts with the higher-ranking officer.
Agustin Villatoro filed the complaint Nov. 3 and accused Joshua Johnson, a current commander with the Sanger Police Department, of sexual harassment.
In the complaint, Villatoro alleges that Johnson, one of his supervisors, “engaged in unwelcome sexual conduct” with him for about two years.
“During this period, Johnson sent Plaintiff a volume of highly sexualized, pornographic, and explicit sexual messages. These messages involved depictions of sexual positions, sexual terminology referring to male body parts, and statements about Plaintiff engaged in homosexual sex,” the complaint reads.
Villatoro says he was harassed from Oct. 2022 to Oct. 2024. At that point, Villatoro alleges Johnson “began to concoct a basis to target Plaintiff for his failure to succumb.”
Villatoro says he was placed on administrative leave for “concocted allegations.” In February 2025, after Johnson became the interim chief for a short period, Villatoro says he was recommended for termination.
“The intention to terminate was based on Johnson’s concocted plan to denigrate and further victimize Plaintiff’s non-acquiescence of Johnson’s sexual harassment,” the complaint reads.
Villatoro says he then filed a formal sexual harassment complaint against Johnson, according to the lawsuit.
“On May 23, 2025, despite knowing of the sexual harassment and evidence of sexual misconduct against Johnson, the City adopted Johnson’s recommendation to terminate Plaintiff, effectively ending the career of Plaintiff with the Sanger Police Department,” the complaint reads.
Villatoro is suing the City of Sanger for sexual harassment, retaliation, failure to prevent harassment, discrimination and violation of government code. He’s suing Johnson for sexual harassment and violation of government code.
Villatoro is requesting a jury trial and suing for compensatory damages, including lost wages and benefits.
John Reynolds, chief of the Sanger Police Department, said the department does not comment on individual personnel actions or internal employment matters.
“As the case proceeds, the City will address it through the appropriate legal processes,” Reynolds said.
Attempts to reach Villatoro’s attorney and Johnson Monday were unsuccessful.
A case management conference is set for March 19.
This story was originally published January 28, 2026 at 10:54 AM.
