Williams
A former Greenwood and Southport schools teacher is facing a child molestation charge.
Shane E. Williams, 46, is charged with child molesting, a Level 4 felony, and dissemination of matter harmful to minors, a Level 6 felony. He was booked into the Johnson County jail on Tuesday, and he is out on bail.
Williams was previously employed as a teacher at both Greenwood Middle School, where one of the incidents took place, and Southport High School. Both Greenwood Community School Corporation and Perry Township Schools officials said they were aware of the “disturbing allegations” when contacted by the Daily Journal Wednesday.
Greenwood schools said Williams was employed by the district for two years, leaving in May 2021. After learning about the allegations, staff immediately contacted the Indiana Department of Child Services. He was arrested shortly thereafter, school officials said.
“Due to the ongoing police investigation, we cannot share further details at this time,” the statement says. “Our focus is on the safety and well-being of our students. We are fully cooperating with local law enforcement officers as they conduct their investigation.”
The district also encouraged anyone with information related to the case to contact Greenwood Police at 317-346-6336.
Williams was employed at Southport High School from July 2021 until he resigned in September 2022, said Elizabeth Choi, a Perry Township schools spokesperson. While the district cannot comment on this specific case, officials said all teachers and staff are held to the highest standards.
“Before hiring, our district conducts thorough background checks, which includes criminal, sexual offender and child abuse history checks. Additionally, teachers undergo a rigorous screening and interview process,” the district said in a statement.
Greenwood Police first began investigating Williams following a report of child molestation in January 2022. The incident reporter told police that she was told by another woman Williams was molesting two juveniles, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Johnson County Superior Court 3 on June 2.
The woman told police that one of the juveniles had told her Williams had been having inappropriate conduct for the previous three years. Williams would allegedly ask the juvenile to look at his phone and view pornographic videos online and asked them to perform sexual acts, the affidavit says.
Williams allegedly told first juvenile that there would be “severe consequences” if they spoke up about the incidents, the affidavit shows.
The woman told police she was concerned that Williams was employed at Southport High School where he was a teacher and basketball coach, at the time of the incident being reported.
When the Department of Child Services interviewed the juvenile, they said Williams was allegedly trying to make everyone believe they were lying. They also told interviewers Williams had asked them more than once if they would perform a sexual act on him, the affidavit says.
The first juvenile told investigators about the first time Williams allegedly asked them to touch him inappropriately, which took place in Indianapolis. He had given them information to imply it was OK. The two played truth or dare, and Williams allegedly dared the juvenile to touch him, the affidavit shows.
Investigators say the juvenile also confirmed that Williams had reportedly asked them to view pornographic videos on his phone during the last incident in December 2021 in Greenwood. He had asked the juvenile to touch him inappropriately, but they said no. However, he was later able to convince them to do so, the affidavit shows.
Detectives also spoke with a second juvenile, who told that about an incident that took place in Indianapolis. Williams had reportedly asked them to go into a bathroom and asked them to touch him inappropriately. They refused, and asked him if this was “normal.” Williams reportedly said yes, telling the second juvenile it had happened in his family before, according to the affidavit.
Investigators spoke with the first juvenile again earlier this year, after they were informed of more criminal allegations. The juvenile described another incident where Williams made them record him performing a sexual act at a home in Indianapolis. They also spoke of an incident where Williams made the juvenile touch them inappropriately, and made them wear lingerie, the affidavit shows.
Williams also allegedly showed the juvenile pornographic videos from the internet, along with videos of him having sex, the juvenile told detectives.
The juvenile also informed detectives about an incident that took place at Greenwood Middle School. Williams had made the juvenile touch him inappropriately in his classroom at the school, according to the affidavit.
Williams was a basketball coach for the school, and the juvenile would stay after school with him. While in the classroom, Williams and the juvenile entered a small room with windows, but they were covered by paper. This is where the incident took place, the affidavit shows.
Police also received a search warrant for Williams’ phone, and found pornographic videos of Williams and other persons. While these videos were not of juveniles, there was a video that was similar to the one the juvenile said they were shown, the affidavit says.
Detectives were also given an audio recording of a conversation between the juvenile and Williams where they were discussing the allegations. In the conversation, the juvenile asks Williams about what he allegedly did. He said he thought it was something they would enjoy, the affidavit shows.
Shortly after, Williams asked the juvenile for their phone and they said it was downstairs. He asked the juvenile if he wanted him to get it for him and said he felt like someone was trying to set him up for court.
Later, Williams asked the juvenile if they were trying to record the conversation. They said no, and he asked to hear the video, and they said no again, the affidavit says.
Non-emergency help dealing with sexual assault resources is available at Franklin-based ASSIST Indiana at 317-739-4456. For a complete list of resources from the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking, visit icesaht.org/get-help/. For emergency help dealing with sexual assault call or text 911 to report the crime.
