Monday, Tennessee confirmed that two players, linebacker A.J. Johnson (pictured) and defensive back Michael Williams, have been indefinitely suspended from all team-related activities for violating unspecified team rules, although multiple media outlets reported that the suspensions were connecting to an investigation into alleged sexual assaults.
Tuesday afternoon, the Knoxville Police Department issued a two-page report that shed additional light on the situation.
According to the report, a 19-year-old UT student claimed that Johnson and Williams raped her early Sunday morning at a Knoxville apartment complex. The unnamed woman claimed that the assault lasted 45 minutes.
Another 19-year-old woman claimed she was sexually assaulted at the same location by Williams.
The first woman was treated at the UT Medical Center. Contrary to initial reports, the second alleged woman declined treatment and headed back to her home in Florida. She has thus far declined to pursue charges despite her initial claims of being sexually assaulted.
Detectives have yet to interview either Johnson or Williams, although that’s expected to change in the near future. No charges have been filed as the allegations remain under investigation.
Once the investigation is completed -- there’s no timeline for completion -- the case will be turned over to the Knox County prosecutors, who will determine if charges are warranted. Both players are expected to remain suspended until the situation is resolved.
Johnson, who has started 44 games for the Vols the past three-plus seasons, is currently UT’s leading tackler after leading the team in that category the past two seasons. Williams has started five of the 10 games in which he’s played this season.