Former TMU administrator accused of lying to investigators
By Denise Etheridge
Former Truett McConnell University Vice President Bradley Reynolds, who was indicted on three counts of making false statements to law enforcement, surrendered to the White County Sheriff's Office on Monday.
Reynold's booking photo and charges of lying to law enforcement were included in a media arrest summary sent to the White County News on Tuesday. According to the arrest summary, Reynolds lives in Leonard, Texas.
The WCSO confirmed Tuesday that Reynolds made bond on Monday. The bond amount was for $30,000.
Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jeff Langley told the News last week that the $30,000 bond had been set and Reynolds's attorney had been notified. Reynolds was indicted on three felony counts of making a false statement.
The three counts stem from an initial interview conducted by the White County Sheriff's Office in early 2024. Reynolds was then interviewed by the WCSO following sex abuse allegations made by Hayle Swinson, a former student-athlete and TMU employee, who had accused the longtime TMU administrator of grooming and abusing her under the guise of spiritual mentorship.
One count refers to Reynolds falsely denying the sexual relationship with Swinson, another refers to his falsely denying an email account and the final count refers to his falsely denying an email in which he described a dream he'd had, according to Langley. The dream was allegedly a revelation that Reynolds's wife would die so that he could marry Swinson.
Investigators with the sheriff's department found more than 300 emails on Reynolds's phone and, “hundreds and hundreds of text messages,” between Reynolds and Swinson, according to White County Sheriff Rick Kelley. The correspondence revealed a long-term relationship that included Reynolds giving Swinson access to his home and credit cards.
Authorities have not yet announced an arraignment date.