Illinois Deputy Charged in Shooting Death of Sonya Massey Had Troubled History
- An Illinois sheriff's deputy with a prior history of DUIs has been charged in the shooting death of Sonya Massey.
- Officials revealed that the deputy was discharged from the Army due to previous drunken driving incidents while armed.
- This incident raises serious concerns over the behavior and accountability of law enforcement personnel.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois sheriff’s deputy charged in the shooting death of Sonya Massey, identified as Grayson, has a controversial background, including two DUI convictions that led to his discharge from the Army. Despite these issues, he was able to secure a position in law enforcement. Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. His first DUI incident occurred in August 2015, resulting in his military discharge for “serious misconduct” after authorities found an unregistered firearm in his vehicle. Law enforcement experts note that while a misdemeanor DUI does not legally prevent someone from becoming an officer, hiring agencies can take such convictions into account. Sean Smoot, chairman of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, indicated that some departments would likely reject candidates with a DUI history. Prior to his role in Springfield, Grayson served as a deputy sheriff in Logan County, where he received mixed reviews regarding his performance and conduct. Reports from his time in Logan County included complaints of misconduct, with one incident involving a woman who claimed Grayson instructed her to remove contraband in front of officers. The body camera footage from the night of Massey’s shooting reveals troubling behavior, as Grayson appeared impatient and aggressive, failing to de-escalate the situation. Experts criticize his approach, suggesting he should have communicated more effectively and avoided the use of deadly force.