NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A former state trooper in Pickett County, Tenn., has pleaded guilty to five criminal counts stemming from a sexual assault investigation.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said in a news release Wednesday that 38-year-old Wade Williams was sentenced to eight years in jail. The release said he pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated statutory rape, two counts of attempt to commit especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Williams resigned when faced with termination earlier this year. He became a trooper in 2000.
"The guilty plea entered today by former state trooper Wade Williams brings closure to this unfortunate incident and, hopefully, some relief for the victim and the victim's family. Williams has been sentenced accordingly, he will serve time in prison, and will be placed on the sex offender registry. The actions of Wade Williams do not represent the men and women of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and all those who put their lives on the line to serve and protect the citizens of Tennessee. No one is above the law, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated by the Department of Safety and Homeland Security," Commissioner Bill Gibbons said.
The case originated from a complaint received by the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
