New Details Emerge on the Work History of Deputy Involved in Sonya Massey’s Death

In a startling revelation, newly obtained personnel files have exposed the complex work history of Sean Grayson, the deputy involved in the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey. These records, acquired through a public records request by NBC News, provide a deeper insight into Grayson's tenure at the Logan County Sheriff's Office from May 2022 to April 2023.

The documents reveal that Grayson candidly admitted to past alcohol abuse during his Army service in his job application. He disclosed being intoxicated "a lot" throughout his life, estimating over a hundred instances. This admission raises questions about the vetting process for law enforcement officers and the potential implications for public safety.

During his time with Logan County, Grayson faced two separate complaints. One involved allegations of making a woman feel violated during her arrest, while another accused him of harassing her fiancé during a jail visit. Both complaints were marked as "unfounded" in his file after Grayson provided rebuttals.

The only disciplinary action taken against Grayson during his Logan County tenure occurred when he hit a deer with his squad car during a chase that violated department policy. Despite these incidents, the records indicate that Grayson left the department in "good standing."

The spotlight on Grayson's past comes in the wake of the tragic events of July 6, when he fatally shot Sonya Massey, a Black woman, in her Springfield home. Massey had called the police to report a suspected prowler. Body camera footage revealed that Grayson shot Massey in the head during an exchange over a pot of water and subsequently discouraged his partner from attempting to save her life.

Ben Crump, the renowned civil rights attorney representing Massey's family, expressed shock at the revelations. "It's appalling that Grayson was allowed to work in law enforcement," Crump stated, questioning how Grayson secured his position given his "checkered past."

Prior to his law enforcement career, Grayson served as a wheeled vehicle mechanic in the Army from May 2014 to February 2016. His military records show no deployments, and he left with the rank of private first class. However, his discharge paperwork cites "misconduct (serious offense)" as the reason for separation, though specific details remain confidential due to privacy regulations.

Grayson's history includes two guilty pleas to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol: one in 2015 while enlisted in the Army, and another in 2016. These incidents resulted in a license suspension in 2016.

Despite this background, Grayson managed to secure employment with six law enforcement agencies since 2020, all in central Illinois. Three of these positions were part-time, with some overlapping.

The Logan County Sheriff's Office incident involving a car chase resulted in disciplinary action and recommendations for additional training in high-stress decision-making, traffic stops, and report writing. The supervising officer also emphasized the need for Grayson to thoroughly understand department policies.

The two complaints filed against Grayson during his Logan County employment paint a concerning picture. A woman accused him of "inappropriate" behavior during her arrest, including instructing her to remove hidden drugs in front of male officers and allegedly violating her privacy at a hospital. Her fiancé later accused Grayson of "abusing his power" and harassment during questioning at the Logan County Jail.

Grayson has since been fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office and charged with murder in Massey's death. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.

The killing of Sonya Massey has ignited widespread attention and protests in Springfield, located about 200 miles southwest of Chicago. As the case unfolds, these newly revealed details of Grayson's work history add layers of complexity to an already tragic situation, prompting serious questions about hiring practices in law enforcement and the systems in place to protect public safety.