Ivana Williams, a former Mississippi Highway Patrol officer, was dismissed in January following allegations of recording a sexual encounter with a female friend and sharing it with fellow officers. Williams attributes her dismissal to gender discrimination within the predominantly male force, asserting that her male colleagues have engaged in worse behavior without facing similar repercussions.
The incident in question involved a video filmed with a female friend, who has since sued Williams, claiming she was sexually assaulted and recorded without consent. This lawsuit led to Williams being transferred from Rankin County to Bolivar County, more than two hours away from her children, and ultimately to her termination.
Williams has countered the accusations, maintaining that the video was recorded with the friend's consent and was shared only with the friend. She claims her firing resulted from retaliatory motives linked to a grievance she filed following her transfer. In her February appeal, she criticized the department for its alleged double standards, noting that three of the four male officers who signed her dismissal letter had previously solicited nude photos from her without facing punishment.
Williams has filed a countersuit seeking $20 million for the damage to her reputation and business. She asserts her innocence and looks forward to clearing her name in court. Meanwhile, the other woman involved seeks $11 million in damages, alleging sexual assault and non-consensual recording. Legal proceedings on these matters are scheduled for October.