A 58-year-old Broward County principal arrested for impersonating a deputy during a traffic stop

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dashcam video footage of the moments when authorities said a 58-year-old Broward County principal was arrested for impersonating a deputy during a traffic stop on Florida’s Turnpike last week.

According to an arrest report from the Florida Highway Patrol, a trooper stationed in a marked vehicle observed a gray Kia Stinger with dark tinted windows and an altered license plate heading southbound near Mile Marker 54 shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 7.

Authorities said the plate, reading “AYOORD,” along with the dark tints on the car, raised suspicion and prompted the trooper to initiate a traffic stop.

When the trooper approached the vehicle, the driver, identified as Karlton Odell Johnson, opened a wallet displaying a gold star, investigators said.

Dashcam video obtained by Local 10 News on Tuesday shows Johnson telling the trooper, “I am an officer; I am an officer,” and insisting he was “one of you” when asked for his driver’s license and vehicle registration.

Johnson was also heard saying, “I thought we treat each other better,” while referring to himself as a deputy.

Investigators said the trooper initially believed Johnson’s claim after observing a Broward Sheriff’s Office badge in Johnson’s possession.

However, authorities said further questioning revealed Johnson had no affiliation with any type of position in law enforcement.

Johnson also claimed to be a reserve deputy and that he was related to basketball player Shaquille O’Neal, according to investigators.

The trooper contacted BSO to verify Johnson’s statements and discovered he was not affiliated with the agency.

Authorities said the badge Johnson presented was labeled “Honorary” and that he was not a certified law enforcement officer.

BSO officials also confirmed Johnson did not have a CCN number, which is assigned to all current and former law enforcement personnel, according to the report.

Jail records show Johnson is facing one count of fraudulently impersonating a police officer.

Johnson, who was named Broward County’s Principal of the Year while working at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, has an extensive career in education.

Below is Johnson’s work history, provided to Local 10 News by the Broward County Public School District’s human resources department.

* July 1, 2023 – Present: Principal, Cypress Run Education Center
* July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023: Director, Career, Technical & Adult/Community Education
* July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2022: Principal, Blanche Ely High
* Sept. 6, 2005 – June 30, 2008: Assistant Principal, Dillard High
* July 11, 2005 – Sept. 5, 2005: Assistant Principal, Monarch High
* July 20, 2004 – July 10, 2005: Acting/Interim Assistant Principal, Blanche Ely High

Although Johnson declined to comment after posting a $2,500 bond on Jan. 8, his attorney, Johnny McCray Jr., addressed reporters.

“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 County School District confirmed that Johnson has been reassigned pending the outcome of the investigation.