2 accused of lying about sexual misconduct accusations against sheriff’s deputy

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. (KBSI) – Two people face additional charges after the Williamson County sheriff says they lied about misconduct of a sheriff’s deputy.

Alexis D. Horton and Nathan D. Behrens each face charges of conspiracy to defraud a governmental entity (Class 3 felony), conspiracy to obstruct justice (Class 4 felony), filing a false police report (Class 4 felony) and obstruction of justice (Class 4 felony).

On August 5, 2023, at 6:42 a.m., Williamson County deputies conducted a traffic stop which resulted in the arrest of Behrens and Horton.

They are prior convicted felons and were arrested for possession of methamphetamine (15-100 grams), possession of controlled substance, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and felon in possession of a firearm.

During the traffic stop, deputies recovered a handgun, methamphetamine and controlled substance, according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

There was no previous complaint filed with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. However, on September 1, Williamson County investigators became aware of a letter circulated on social media. The author of the letter suggests that an assisting deputy on the traffic innappropriately touched Horton.

After an investigation into the incident, including interviews of both Horton and Behrens, investigators determined it was an “elaborate plan by the suspects in this case.” Investigators uncovered a conspiracy to extort the dismissal of felony charges and an attempt to receive a financial “payday,” according to the sheriff’s office.

Video reviewed by investigators show the retrieval of contraband, but in no way demonstrates any inappropriate conduct.

While Horton had bonded out of jail and Behrens remained in the custody of the Williamson County Jail on the current charges as well as a Department of Corrections hold for violation of his parole. Investigators reviewed jail telephone communications between the two.
The recorded telephone conversations unveiled an elaborate plan to levy false allegations of inappropriate contact against a deputy with the expectation of using it to seek the dismissal of criminal charges and to financially gain through civil litigation, according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators interviewed Horton and Behrens. Investigators say Horton confessed at least once that the alleged conduct never occurred and that it was intended to get charges dismissed and result in a financial “payday.”

“In Williamson County if you commit a crime, you will be held accountable. Attempts to levy false allegations will not result in the dismissal of your pending charges but rather the addition of more charges,” said Sheriff Jeff Diederich in a statement.

The deputy who is the subject of this false allegation is a decorated military veteran and a highly respected member of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

“The attempt by these convicted felons to falsely discredit this Deputy is unacceptable and resulted in considerable time and resources being expended at the taxpayers expense. I will be forwarding a summary of these direct costs to Williamson County State’s Attorney Ted Hampson and seeking restitution from these Felons on behalf of the taxpayers,” said Sheriff Diederich.