The parolee told Williams he would pay the $3,000. But shortly after the meeting, the parolee called the FBI.
Williams, 25, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty to one count of extortion under the color of official right. He will spend one year and a day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Someone re-entering society has plenty of obstacles to overcome, but a shakedown by his parole officer is not one they expect,” U.S. Attorney B.J. Pak said in a statement Friday. “Public servants are expected to possess the utmost integrity. Williams dishonored the thousands of law enforcement officers in Georgia who serve honorably.”
Williams began working for the Georgia Department of Community Supervision as a community supervision officer in 2014. The department oversees probation and parolee supervision for more than 200,000 adult and juvenile offenders.
In 2016, Williams began managing the unnamed parolee, who had previously served 14 years in prison, according to the news release. Prior to Williams’ supervision, the parolee completed numerous courses and treatment classes and hadn’t received a parole violation.
Federal officials said despite this, Williams told the parolee additional conditions and restrictions would be placed on him.
Two years later, on April 19, 2018, Williams asked the parolee for a bribe, saying in exchange for money, the parolee would not be required to wear an ankle monitor or submit to a polygraph examination. But the parolee contacted the FBI, who organized secret recordings of Williams accepting money and neglecting his supervising duties.
Federal officials said the two met April 27, 2018, at the Department of Community Supervision building in Decatur. Williams led the parolee to a secluded area of the building, where Williams was paid $1,000 in cash.
They met again at a Stone Mountain fast food restaurant May 4, 2018. There, the parolee paid Williams $3,500. After the two bribe payments, Williams did not make the parolee take polygraph exams, wear an ankle bracelet or attend any additional treatment classes, federal officials said in the release.
Williams was suspended after the department learned of the allegations, DCS External Affairs Director Brian Tukes said in a press release. Williams later resigned.
“Williams’ actions are in no way representative of the more than 2,000 DCS employees who exhibit the highest degree of dedication, integrity, and professionalism in service to Georgia’s public safety each and every day,” Tukes said in a statement.
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