FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT
Radim Dragomaca, [email protected]
Reports of Horrifying Photos and Videos of Sexual Assaults of 50+ Victims Including an Infant by Serial Predator Underscores Urgent Need for Accountability and Reform of Tennessee Police Department
New evidence comes in the wake of scathing independent audit, underscoring why former Special Assistant United States Attorney and Whistleblower Aid Client came forward
Johnson City, TN, August 22, 2023 – Shocking new reports today show that local businessman Sean Williams created and stored voluminous video and photographic evidence of him sexually assaulting at least 52 victims, including children. The Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) was likely in possession of this evidence since September 2020 – evidence that also included a list of rape victims. Williams had duplicates of these distressing and graphic files on him when arrested this past April.
JCPD’s failure to investigate and follow-up on evidence they’ve had for years has likely resulted in preventable assaults and more victims.
The JCPD’s handling of sexual assault cases was recently the subject of an independent audit which revealed systemic deficiencies in line with those reported by Kateri Dahl, former Special Assistant United States Attorney, represented by Whistleblower Aid. Ms. Dahl raised concerns about this pattern of investigative misconduct relating to sexual assault victims, and her disclosure is supported by the independent audit. Today’s revelations underscore why Ms. Dahl came forward and represent a catastrophic failure by the Department. These failures should have been included in the scope of the independent audit.
Andrew Bakaj, Chief Legal Counsel for Whistleblower Aid said, “Today’s revelations of horrifying videos and images of Sean Williams’ alleged crimes are a watershed moment for victims, families, and the community. We are stunned that the Johnson City Police Department likely had this graphic evidence in its possession and did not act on it – they have failed the victims and the people of Johnson City whom they are sworn to serve. This evidence should have been considered as part of the independent audit, rendering it incomplete. The Department and the City must take responsibility.
It is now indisputable that the systemic failures within JCPD to adequately protect victims and investigate sexual assault over the course of years has allowed a serial sexual predator to prey upon and physically harm at least 52 victims – including an infant. It is past time that the city and the JCPD stop defending the indefensible. There must be accountability. There must be a federal investigation.”
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Whistleblower Aid is a non-profit legal organization in Washington, D.C. supporting individuals who lawfully report government and corporate law breaking. It provides assistance to individuals in the United States and abroad seeking to disclose illegal conduct, including misconduct relating to government officials, securities fraud, sexual violence, and violations of tax, labor or environmental laws. In recent years Whistleblower Aid lawyers have represented Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen and the Ukraine whistleblower whose disclosures led to the first impeachment of President Trump.
