Nashville Firefighter Extorted Over Sexual Misconduct

Posted by: Curt Varone August 30, 2012 2 Comments

Five Nashville firefighters have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into some bizarre allegations, including that members engaged in sex acts in a fire station with a woman who later claims to have been drugged by one of the members at his house, and who’s friend tried to blackmail one of the firefighters. YCMTSU.NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather

The involved members have been identified as Captain James Overton, Firefighter Jason Copeland, Engineer Kerry Sales, Firefighter Darrin Bell, and Firefighter Quincy Corbitt. Four of the five are assigned to Station 24.

According to news reports police received a complaint on Saturday from a woman who said that a firefighter had drugged her at his home. Police interviewed FF Copeland, who told investigators that he was being blackmailed by a known gang member, Ray Dontrell Johnson, a friend of the woman.

Copeland cooperated with police to arrange a sting to capture Johnson, and Johnson is now in custody charged with extortion. The woman alleges that she and two friends had been to Station 24 to strip and perform sex acts for money.

WKRN, Nashville News, Nashville Weather and Sports

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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