Judge Convicted of Sex Assaults at Courthouse

A judge was convicted Friday of violating the civil rights of five women by sexually assaulting them at his small-town courthouse.

Chancery Judge David Lanier showed no emotion as the verdict was read in U.S. District Court. He refused comment as he left the courtroom with his arms around one of his daughters and his former wife.

Lanier, 58, of Dyersburg in northwest Tennessee, was convicted of twice forcing a woman to perform oral sex in his office. She had come to talk with him about a job and had a child custody case before him. He also was convicted of grabbing the breasts or buttocks of courthouse employees.

“To my knowledge, this is the only case that has ended in a conviction involving a judge as a defendant for sexual coercion under this (civil rights) statute,” said Albert Moskowitz, a Justice Department lawyer.

Lanier was convicted of two felony charges, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and five misdemeanor charges, each carrying a maximum sentence of one year in prison.

Sentencing was scheduled for March 26. Lanier, who was mayor of Dyersburg for 14 years, will remain free on bond.

A jury acquitted Lanier on three other charges included in an 11-count indictment issued in May. Judge Jerome Turner threw out another charge on technical grounds. Lanier was initially accused of molesting eight women.

He acknowledged having sex in his office with one of his accusers but said it was her idea. The jury acquitted him on the felony charge involving that incident.

The jury also acquitted Lanier on a charge that he fondled a courthouse clerk as she sat beside him while his court was in session. In addition, Lanier was acquitted of grabbing the buttocks of a woman as they left his courtroom.

Lanier’s lawyer, Wayne Emmons, said he will appeal.

Amy Spain, an assistant U.S. attorney, said the case should “send a message that judges are not above the law.”

Lanier was removed from the bench in August pending the outcome of the allegations.

The Court of the Judiciary, the state’s disciplinary board for judges, is investigating the judge and will report to the state Legislature, which has the power to impeach him.