Tennessee Police Accused Of Shielding Alleged Predator In Exchange For Cash

A federal lawsuit claims that several Johnson City, Tennessee police officers accepted thousands of dollars from building contractor Sean Williams in exchange for obstructing investigations into allegations that he drugged and raped multiple women over several years. The police department has denied any wrongdoing.

The extortion claims are part of a larger lawsuit accusing Williams of sexually assaulting women in the East Tennessee community from 2018 to 2021 while police allegedly did little to investigate him. Lawyers for nine women, listed as Jane Does 1-9, argue that there was “either an implied or explicit agreement” that the officers would shield Williams, “permitting him to continue his criminal activities of abuse and trafficking with impunity.”

The plaintiffs first raised the extortion claims months ago but have now provided bank records they say support the allegations. They also revealed in April that they have given hundreds of pages of information to federal authorities for a public corruption investigation of the police department.

According to the May 14 filing, Williams’ business partner, referred to as Female 4, allegedly opened shell companies and transferred thousands of dollars from Williams’ business to pay $2,000 a week to some Johnson City Police officers. The plaintiffs say the officers had also seized cash from Williams’ safe.

Williams is currently in custody awaiting trial on numerous state and federal charges, including child rape, aggravated sexual battery, production of child sexual abuse material, and distribution of cocaine. He also faces an escape charge after allegedly kicking out the window of a federal transport van and fleeing to Florida.

The city and the accused officers deny the allegations, with the city stating that it would welcome an investigation to dispel the corruption claims. The local district attorney declined to comment on the extortion accusations, citing an ongoing investigation.