CUMBERLAND COUNTY, TN - An investigation conducted by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has culminated in the indictment of former Cumberland County deputy, John Coley Jr., on serious charges of rape involving a vulnerable adult.

In October 2025, following a request from 13th Judicial District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, TBI agents commenced an inquiry into allegations pertaining to Coley (DOB 12-25-1982), who was serving as a deputy within the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at that time. The investigation revealed credible information suggesting that Coley had perpetrated sexual assault against a vulnerable adult while off duty.

Upon the emergence of these serious allegations, Coley was placed on administrative leave in October and subsequently terminated from his position in November.

On Tuesday, the Cumberland County Grand Jury formally indicted Coley, charging him with two counts of rape. On Wednesday morning, he voluntarily surrendered to authorities at the Cumberland County Jail, where he was processed and is currently being held on a bond amounting to $1,000,000.

It is essential to emphasize that the charges brought forward in this statement are merely accusations of criminal conduct and do not constitute evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt through the established legal processes.