Judge approves $4.2 million settlement in class action lawsuit related to sexual assault by JCPD officers

A $4.2 million settlement has been formally approved by a federal judge, encompassing all women and girls who reported sexual assaults to the Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) between 2018 and 2022, amounting to an estimated 375 individuals. The order was issued by Judge Travis McDonough on Wednesday, culminating from a class action suit that originated from a lawsuit filed in 2023 on behalf of alleged victims of Sean Williams. Williams, a former resident of downtown Johnson City, faced allegations of sexually assaulting over 60 women and recording these incidents.

The City of Johnson City separately resolved with the original plaintiffs in a payout of $23.8 million, which didn’t necessitate judicial approval. The recent class settlement is an extension of the original lawsuit and was prompted by the release of the “Daigle Report”, an audit commissioned by the city in 2022 in response to a separate lawsuit involving Sean Williams. The report highlighted concerns about certain investigative practices of the JCPD that could potentially impact the quality and efficiency of their handling of sexual assault cases.

The decision to approve the settlement followed a telephone hearing held eight days prior involving plaintiffs’ attorneys and the city’s legal representatives. This approval came over five months after the Johnson City Commissioners sanctioned a total of $28 million in payouts to resolve both aspects of the case. Judge McDonough commended the settlement as a result of fair negotiations carried out by experienced legal advisors under the guidance of a mediator.

A settlement administrator will notify class members by July 16, giving them the option to withdraw from the settlement within 60 days. Plaintiffs’ attorneys are seeking up to $1.4 million in fees, which, along with administrative costs, may result in individual settlement amounts of around $7,000 if evenly distributed among the 375 class members.

In addition to monetary relief, the settlement includes measures for improved procedures and oversight of the JCPD for two years. These audits will ensure compliance with the required constitutional policing standards outlined in the Sexual Oriented Crimes General Order. In case of any non-compliance, the attorneys will first engage with Johnson City’s legal team to seek resolution before escalating the matter to the Court.

A final approval hearing has been scheduled for January 6, 2026, at the U.S. District Courthouse in Greeneville.