As vigils and rallies crop up in cities across the U.S. in the wake of the Sonya Massey killing, records and accounts detailed in media reports have shed new light on the yearslong history of alleged misconduct of the former deputy charged with murder in the case, from multiple DUI arrests to alleged lying, deception and harassment.
Sean Grayson fatally shot 36-year-old Massey at her home where he and another deputy were responding to a 911 call about a possible intruder on July 6. While Grayson did not turn on his body-worn camera until after he shot Massey, the other deputy's body camera captured the incident on video. The footage sparked national outrage, renewed calls for police reform and has stirred memories of the killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.
Grayson, 30, was fired from his post after he was indicted on multiple charges including murder. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail without bond. An attorney representing Grayson did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's requests for comment about Grayson's DUIs and alleged misconduct.
The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, which initially planned to fight Grayson's firing, decided Tuesday not to pursue his reinstatement, noting the organization had filed a grievance merely as standard procedure.
Here is what we know so far about Grayson's time in the Army and at a half dozen law enforcement agencies in central Illinois.
Grayson was discharged from the Army after "misconduct" described only as a "serious offense," according to his personnel file obtained by The State Journal-Register, part of the USA TODAY Network.
While Grayson was in the Army, he was charged with driving under the influence on Aug. 10, 2015, in Girard, Illinois, about 40 minutes southwest of Springfield. Online records listed Grayson's address as Fort Junction, Kansas. Grayson was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, among other places.
Grayson's former first sergeant, in writing a recommendation letter for him for a job at the Auburn Police Department, noted that "aside from Mr. Grayson's DUI, there were no other issues that he had during his tenure in the U.S. Army."
An Army spokesperson said in an unsigned email to USA TODAY that discharge information cannot be released, saying it would violate federal privacy law. The spokesperson added that Grayson served in the "Regular Army" from May 2014 to February 2016, and only obtained the second most junior rank, private first class.
Less than a year later, on July 26, 2016, Grayson was charged with a second DUI, according to online records. He pleaded guilty in both cases, records show.
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, in a statement emailed last week, said the sheriff's office "understood that the serious misconduct referenced (in Grayson's Army personnel file) was a DUI."
Asked on the employment application for the Auburn Police Department if he had ever been "convicted of, charged with or (was) currently waiting trial for any crime greater than that of a minor traffic offense to include driving while intoxicated," Grayson answered, "No, I have only been arrested and charged for DUI."
Grayson worked at six different law enforcement agencies in four years, according to his personnel file and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.
During his first year as an officer, Grayson bounced around three central Illinois police departments in Pawnee, Kincaid and Virden. His time at several of the agencies overlapped as he worked part time before obtaining a first full-time position with the Auburn Police Department.
In May 2022, Grayson went to theLogan County Sheriff's Office before he was hired by the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office a year later.
While at the Logan County Sheriff's Office, a supervising officer rebuked Grayson for allegedly lying in reports and showing a general lack of integrity, according to a recording obtained by CBS News. "The sheriff and I will not tolerate lying or deception," the officer can be heard telling Grayson, later adding: "Officers (like you) have been charged and they end up in jail."
Grayson was also accused of "abusing his power" and "harassing" a couple he pulled over and arrested during a traffic stop, CBS reported, citing a disciplinary file from the Logan County Sheriff's Office. The file noted that the allegations by the couple against Grayson were deemed unfounded.
Girard Police Chief Wayman Meredith told CBS that last year Grayson pressured him to call child services on a woman outside the home of Grayson's mother. Meredith described Grayson as "steaming mad" and said that he flagged the incident to the Logan County Sheriff's Office.
"He was acting like a bully," Meredith told the outlet, speaking about Grayson. "He was wanting me to do stuff that was not kosher."
The Sangamon County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that it was not provided with any information regarding Grayson's alleged dishonesty or misconduct during his time at the Logan County Sheriff's Office.
"We were not provided any such information from any of Grayson’s former employers, nor from any crediting agency," the statement said. "We cannot comment on whether the information is accurate, nor why it was not shared by another agency."
The Sangamon County Sheriff's Office did, however, know about Grayson's two DUI arrests when they hired him. In a statement, the agency said Grayson was certified for hire by a commission as well as the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, both of which knew about the drunk driving convictions. Before serving as a Sangamon County deputy, Grayson also passed a drug test, criminal background check, a psychological evaluation and graduated from a 16-week training academy, the agency said.
The Logan County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell has faced intense scrutiny, including from Massey's family, for his decision to hire Grayson. Campbell on Monday said he would not step down despite fervent calls for him to do so. At a packed hall of about 300 people, Campbell told the audience he and his agency failed Massey and her family and asked for forgiveness.
"Sonya Massey. I will say her name and I'll never forget her," Campbell told the crowd Monday. "I cannot imagine the pain that her family and friends feel right now. I'm sorry . . . We did not do our jobs."
Contributing: Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY
