Skip to content
Image: Logo of Truett McConnell University; via Wikipedia.
A former vice president at a Baptist university in northeast Georgia has been indicted after authorities allege he lied during an investigation into accusations that he sexually assaulted a student who later became a university employee, the AP reported yesterday via KLAS NewsChannel 8.
A White County grand jury indicted Bradley Reynolds on three felony counts of making false statements to law enforcement. Reynolds, who served as vice president of academic affairs at Truett McConnell University in Cleveland, Georgia, resigned in 2024. He did not respond to calls from AP reporters seeking comment.
The indictment focuses on a March 2024 interview between Reynolds and sheriff’s investigator Anthony Sims. Grand jurors allege that Reynolds lied when he stated he never had a sexual relationship with the woman. They further allege he falsely denied controlling an email account that sent more than 300 messages provided to investigators. Jurors also allege Reynolds lied when he denied telling the woman that his wife was going to die and he intended to make the woman his second wife.
The situation has drawn intense scrutiny at Truett McConnell University, a conservative college with roughly 3,100 students that rarely sees public unrest. The allegations and questions about whether university officials attempted to conceal them led trustees to remove President Emir Caner in September. He had been on leave since June while an outside investigator reviewed the matter. Trustees appointed John Yarbrough as interim president.
Caner has denied concealing or ignoring any assaults. Critics claim he retaliated against two administrators who pressed him about the allegations, forcing them out of their positions. The university has denied that any retaliation occurred.
These developments come as the Southern Baptist community continues to grapple with decades of allegations involving hundreds of church leaders and workers accused of abusing congregants and failing to prevent further harm.
The former student publicly discussed her allegations on a May 29 podcast. She asserts she was repeatedly assaulted during visits to Reynolds’ home for Bible study.
In a public statement on May 30, Truett McConnell University said it first learned of the situation in February 2024 when the administrator disclosed he was under investigation for what he called an inappropriate relationship. The university said his employment ended within days. Officials later learned that the administrator had sent “hundreds” of “sexually explicit and theologically twisted” emails from a personal account.
White County investigators initially concluded there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges. District Attorney Jeff Langley later reopened the case.
“A plaintiff’s attorney” told Now Habersham that her client is “very grateful that the DA in White County investigated, and that the district attorney presented the case to the grand jury. Now we’ll just let the justice system proceed.”
Langley said authorities are now coordinating efforts to bring Reynolds back to Georgia to face the charges.
Related:
Baptist College in Georgia Removes President After Sexual Abuse Inquiry
Private Georgia Baptist College University President Placed on Leave Amid Sexual Abuse Allegations
Are You A Survivor of SBC Sexual Abuse?
Learn more about your legal rights by visiting our Southern Baptist sexual abuse lawsuit guide. If you are ready to explore your legal options, you can request a free case review by filling out the confidential and secure form below.
