Two Tennessee Volunteers, one current and one former, are facing very serious charges following a legal development late Thursday afternoon.
Following a rape investigation that began in November of last year, the Knoxville News Sentinel is reporting, current UT cornerback Michael Williams (pictured) and former UT linebacker A.J. Johnson have been indicted by a Knox County grand jury. Williams’ attorney, David Eldridge, told the News Sentinel that his client “turned himself in to the Knox County jail and was released on a $40,000 bond.”
The specific charge or charges the two will be facing have not been detailed.
According to reports that surfaced in mid-November, a 19-year-old UT student claimed that Johnson and Williams raped her at the former’s residence at a Knoxville apartment complex. The unnamed woman claimed that the assault lasted 45 minutes, and occurred during the course of a party being held following UT’s win over Kentucky.
Another 19-year-old woman claimed she was sexually assaulted at the same location around the same time 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. Whether she cooperated with the grand jury is unknown.
Shortly after the reports surfaced, both players were indefinitely suspended by the football program. Johnson’ eligibility has expired, while Williams’ has not. Williams is currently enrolled in school, and, suffice to say, his future as both a student and an athlete is very much in jeopardy.
This development comes shortly after a grand jury declined to indict Kentucky defensive lineman Lloyd Tubman on a rape charge.