A former Cumberland County deputy is now on the other side of the law, facing two counts of rape after a grand jury handed down indictments on Tuesday. The ex-officer, identified as John Coley Jr., turned himself in on Wednesday. Prosecutors allege the attacks involved a vulnerable adult and say the charges stem from a state investigation that began in October 2025.
TBI probe began at DA's request
According to WVLT, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation opened its case on Coley in October 2025 after a request from 13th Judicial District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway. Investigators said they developed information indicating the alleged assaults happened while Coley was off duty and that the victim was a vulnerable adult.
Employment status and surrender
WTVF reports that Coley was placed on administrative leave from the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office in October when the allegations surfaced, then fired the following month. The Cumberland County grand jury returned a two-count indictment on Tuesday, and Coley surrendered to authorities on Wednesday, according to the station.
Charges are allegations; court process ahead
The TBI stressed that the case is still in the allegation stage and that Coley, like any defendant, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court, a point highlighted in the agency's statement cited by WVLT. The bureau's release did not include details about bond, arraignment, or any upcoming court dates.
How this fits a pattern in Tennessee
The case lands as state investigators continue to scrutinize alleged misconduct by law enforcement elsewhere in Tennessee. In May 2025, a former Cheatham County deputy was indicted on rape and related charges, according to WSMV. As of publication, Cumberland County officials had not gone beyond the TBI's public statement in offering comment on Coley's case.
.jpg){kind=link}