CLEVELAND, Ga. – A former vice president at Truett McConnell University has been indicted in White County on charges connected to an ongoing sexual abuse investigation, according to Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jeff Langley.
On Monday, Dec. 8, the White County Grand Jury indicted former TMU Vice President of Academic Affairs Bradley Reynolds on three felony counts of making false statements to law enforcement. Reynolds served 15 years in a senior administrative role at the private Christian university in Cleveland. The indictment stems from a broader probe into sexual assault allegations against Reynolds by former student-athlete Haylie Swinson.
Langley said he did not interview Reynolds as part of his investigation, but said he personally presented the case to the grand jury. He declined to discuss specifics of the case, citing pending litigation, but confirmed that a valid arrest warrant has been issued. Langley said that, if necessary, extradition could be sought for Reynolds, who now lives in Texas.
The allegations and indictment
In a May podcast, Swinson alleged Reynolds lured her into one-on-one “discipleship” sessions in the basement of his home, which escalated from inappropriate touching during prayer to rape.
Reynolds left Truett in 2024 after Swinson reported her allegations to the White County Sheriff’s Office. While the sheriff’s investigator determined there was insufficient evidence to prosecute, he determined that Swinson and Reynolds “had a long relationship spanning from September 2013 until June 2017.”
According to the indictment, Reynolds knowingly gave three false answers to Sgt. Anthony Wayne Sims of the White County Sheriff’s Office, while being questioned about the case on or about March 1, 2024.
The indictment details the specific nature of the alleged lies across three separate counts. Count 1 alleges that Reynolds falsely claimed he had no sexual relationship with Swinson. Count 2 charges that he falsely stated he was unaware of and did not use the email account reynolds_bradd@yahoo.com, which investigators reportedly later traced back to him. And count 3 alleges that Reynolds falsely denied telling and emailing Swinson that his wife was going to die and that he would make Swinson his “second wife”.
To support these charges, the State listed several witnesses, including Sgt. Sims, Swinson, former TMU Vice President of Student Services Chris Eppling, and others connected to the school, including Stacy Hall, Lillian Hambrick, and Megan Taylor-Kough.
Reaction to the indictment
Following Monday’s indictment, Swinson’s attorney, Marcia Shein, told Now Habersham 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.”
Shein had no further comment, and, when asked, declined to say what Swinson is now doing in her professional life.
Langley said authorities will coordinate next steps to get Reynolds to Georgia to answer to the charges.
On Dec. 9, Now Habersham called the family-owned sandwich shop in Texas where Reynolds works. The man who answered the phone said Reynolds was not available. As of publication, he had not responded to our request for a return call.
Truett McConnell University has not issued a public statement regarding the indictment.
