A.J. Johnson, Michael Williams Named in Sexual Assault Investigation

Tennessee Volunteers linebacker A.J. Johnson and defensive back Michael Williams have been accused of forcible rape according to a police report.

Both players have been suspended by the program.

Continue for updates

 Saturday, Dec. 13

Investigation Into Rape Allegations Complete 

The Associated Press provides an update on the investigation into rape allegations against Johnson and Williams:

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The investigation into rape allegations against two University of Tennessee football players is complete.

According to an email from Knoxville Police spokesman Darrell DeBusk, the case file has been turned over to the Knox County District Attorney's Office.

 

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Tuesday, Nov. 18

Police Report Accuses Johnson, Williams of 'Forcible Rape'

KnoxNews.com passed along the latest from the police report regarding the incident involving A.J. Johnson and Michael Williams:

Monday, Nov. 17

Johnson Named in Report, Suspended by Tennessee

Tennessee Volunteers linebacker A.J. Johnson was reportedly named in a sexual assault investigation following allegations that two University of Tennessee football players were involved in a rape, according to WBIR 10News in Knoxville.   

According to the report, the incident took place early Sunday morning at the Woodlands Apartment Complex in Knoxville. Jimmy Hyams of WNML shared more details of the investigation:

Don Jacobs and Dustin Dopirak of The Knoxville News Sentinel later provided more information on possible charges in the investigation:

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Knox County prosecutors will decide if charges are warranted in a reported rape involving University of Tennessee football players, a police spokesman said Monday.

'We don’t anticipate charges today,' Knoxville Police Department spokesman Darrell DeBusk said. 'Once we finish our investigation, we’ll turn it over to the district attorney.'

DeBusk said the office of Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen will decide if evidence and statements collected by police warrant the issuance of an arrest document or if a grand jury will determine if charges should be filed.

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Volunteers head coach Butch Jones spoke about how the program will handle the situation, via the team’s official Twitter account:

The program later suspended Johnson and Michael Williams following the report:

This is not Johnson's first run-in with police. According to WBIR 10News' report, “The senior linebacker was arrested in February for buying alcohol for people under 21 and resisting arrest. A judge later dropped those charges as part of plea agreement that Johnson would stay out of trouble for 90 days.”

Johnson has been a key piece to the team’s defensive game plan. He has 101 combined tackles, two sacks and one interception in 10 games.

Tennessee has gone 5-5 this season with Johnson in the lineup and has two games remaining (vs. Missouri and at Vanderbilt).

*Stats via ESPN.com.