The FBI arrested Michael Harvel, 59, of Crossville, Tennessee, at his home on Today for his alleged involvement in kidnapping and sexually assaulting women under his supervision as the Cumberland County Solid Waste Director.
According to the indictment, Harvel’s official duties included supervising women who served their court-ordered community service time or worked as paid county employees. The indictment alleges that, from 2015 to 2018, Harvel sexually assaulted seven women under his supervision.
The indictment charges Harvel with civil rights violations for kidnapping and sexually assaulting women, including two counts of kidnapping and sexually assaulting women he supervised, and a third count of committing aggravated sexual abuse by forcibly raping a woman in a dark office. The indictment alleges several other incidents of sexual assault, including Harvel fondling the breasts and genitals of women against their will.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Beth Myers for the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Michael J. Songer of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
In a separate civil action, the government settled a sexual harassment lawsuit against Cumberland County for $1.1 million in March. The lawsuit alleged that Cumberland County failed to take adequate precautions to prevent Harvel from sexually harassing women he supervised.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Harvel faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison if convicted.
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Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Sex Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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