On Nov. 28, Columbus police arrested Christopher S. Johnson, an academic adviser in the College of Nursing, on a charge of promoting prostitution, said vice detective Jeffrey A. Ackley of Columbus Police. If convicted, Johnson, 33, faces up to 18 months in prison.

Gina Pietro, a senior in nursing, said she is surprised by the charges against Johnson, who has been her adviser since sophomore year.

“He was a really good adviser and always really helpful, and I’m sad because I don’t really have anyone to go to now,” Pietro said.

Johnson was placed on unpaid administrative leave Monday pending further investigation and the resolution of charges, according to a statement by Ohio State spokesman Jim Lynch.

The charges stem from an Internet message board Johnson allegedly created in August 2008, which allowed registered users to “review” prostitutes that advertised in the Erotic Services section of Columbus Craigslist.org, Ackley said.

The message board featured a raffle where registered users could purchase a ticket for $10 in hopes of winning the chance to have sex with convicted prostitute Vanise M. Dunn, 31, who is also an employee at Franklin County Children Services and works with sex abuse cases.

Dunn is currently on unpaid leave pending an internal investigation, said Doris Calloway Moore, a Franklin County Child Services spokeswoman. After paying Dunn, Johnson kept the rest of the raffle money for himself, Ackley said.

Police say Rusty Blades, 42, hosted a private party on Oct. 11 for members of the message board at a residence he owned at 974 S. Front St. Seven prostitutes were featured at the party, one of whom rented the home from Blades to use as a brothel. Hania E. November, 21, was charged with soliciting prostitution at the house on Nov. 21 and Blades was arrested on a charge of promoting prostitution on Nov. 28, Ackley said.

Police have since found a review on Johnson’s Web site revealing that one of the prostitutes reviewed is a minor, Ackley said. Police are continuing the investigation.

Leigh Brock can be reached at [email protected].