City Reaches Settlement in Lawsuit Alleging Police Negligence
Johnson City, Tennessee, has agreed to pay a $28 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit that accused its police department of failing to investigate sexual assault allegations. The lawsuit, filed by multiple women under the pseudonym “Jane Doe,” claimed officers deliberately obstructed cases involving Sean Williams, a man accused in civil cases of drugging and sexually assaulting dozens of women between 2018 and 2021.
If approved by a federal judge, the settlement will extend to a broader group of up to 400 women, including minors, who reported sexual abuse or human trafficking to Johnson City police from 2018 through December 2022. The lawsuit alleged gender discrimination and a systemic failure to protect victims.
Officials Deny Wrongdoing But Say Settlement is Necessary
City officials and the police officers named in the lawsuit have denied allegations of corruption, insisting that the responsibility for the crimes lies with Williams alone. Before the city commissioners voted on the settlement, an attorney representing Johnson City said that continuing the case in court posed a significant financial risk.
Johnson City Commissioner Jenny Brock stated that while the city does not blame the victims, Williams is the one truly responsible for the harm caused. The settlement will be partially covered by insurance, according to city attorney Jonathan Lakey.
Victims’ Attorneys See Settlement as a Step Toward Justice
Vanessa Baehr-Jones, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said the agreement is a significant step toward justice for the women affected by the city’s alleged failures. She emphasized that the legal battle had been long and difficult but ultimately led to an outcome that allows the victims to begin healing.
The lawsuit was one of three separate cases accusing Johnson City police of failing to take action against Williams. Williams, who is currently in prison for producing child sexual abuse images and escaping custody, has denied the allegations and claimed law enforcement framed him to cover up public corruption.
Williams’ Criminal History and Additional Charges
Williams’ criminal record extends beyond the allegations of sexual assault. In 2023, a campus police officer in North Carolina discovered him asleep in his car and found cocaine, methamphetamine, about $100,000 in cash, and digital storage devices containing over 5,000 images of child sexual abuse. Investigators later found videos of him sexually assaulting at least 52 women while they were unconscious. A list labeled “Raped” was discovered in his home, containing names that matched the victims seen in the footage.
Williams was convicted in July 2023 of escaping custody and faces up to five years in prison for that charge. In November, he was convicted on child sexual abuse image charges, with each of the three counts carrying a minimum sentence of 15 years. His sentencing is scheduled for February 24.
He also faces additional sexual assault charges involving minors in Tennessee state court, along with federal charges in North Carolina related to illegal drugs and child sexual abuse images.
Investigation Reveals Widespread Failures in Police Handling of Cases
In response to public scrutiny, Johnson City conducted an external review of its police department’s handling of sexual assault cases. The report, released in 2023, found that the department conducted inconsistent and incomplete investigations, failed to manage records effectively, lacked sufficient training, and, in some cases, exhibited gender-based bias.
City officials claim they had already begun making improvements before the report was released. Changes include implementing a new sexual assault investigation protocol and creating a more supportive space for victims to come forward.
