Tennessee manhunt: FBI confirms sighting of escaped inmate Sean Williams
- Serial rape suspect Sean Williams has been on run for a month
- U.S. Marshals Service: Williams kicked out prison van's window
- Source: Williams was seen buying glasses, candy in North Carolina
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(NewsNation) — An eyewitness saw escaped inmate and alleged serial rapist Sean Williams at a shopping center on Friday in Sylva, North Carolina, according to the FBI.
The FBI’s Charlotte, N.C. office posted on social media at 3:13 p.m. Friday that the agency “confirmed an eyewitness saw Sean Christopher Williams around 11:30 this morning in the Jackson Plaza shopping area.”
Williams, who was facing multiple state and federal sex charges, escaped a month ago from a prison transport van and has been on the run ever since.
“(Williams) is familiar with the area and should be considered dangerous,” the FBI news release said. “Law enforcement is asking the community of Sylva, North Carolina, to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings.”
According to NewsNation’s Ashleigh Banfield, a source said Williams’ daughter works at the shopping center, and he was seen buying glasses and candy.
Williams’ hair is grown out more than in the photo being circulated by the FBI, the release said. He just turned 52, is five feet 11 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.
Williams faces accusations of child pornography, child rape, aggravated sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a minor.
He’s also charged federally with escape and attempted escape due to an alleged July escape attempt.
Williams is alleged to have drugged and raped several women at large parties fueled by drugs and alcohol he threw on the fifth floor of a downtown Johnson City apartment building where Williams was, in effect, the landlord.
Victims of Williams fear that he will return to Johnson City after escaping a prison transport van, allegedly using a paperclip to escape from handcuffs, kicking out the vehicle’s window.
Cynthia Bradford, a former tenant and neighbor of Williams, told NewsNation she knew “something was not right” about him when describing the parties he would host in her building.
“I never went up there, but he would post them on social media,” she said. “He would open up the refrigerator and have it full of alcohol. And then he would go into the bathroom and say, ‘This is the powder room.’ And of course, there was cocaine.”
Anyone who sees Williams is asked to call the U.S. Marshalls at 877-926-8332.
The FBI asked homeowners in the area to secure outbuildings and other property if possible and if they can do so safely.
A combined reward of $7,500 for information leading to Williams’ arrest has been offered by the U.S. Marshals and TBI.
NewsNation affiliate WJHL contributed to this report.
