JOHNSON CITY – An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has led to the indictment of two Washington County women accused of disclosing confidential information in a child sex abuse case.

In July 2017, at the request of 2nd District Attorney General Barry Staubus, TBI Special Agents began investigating allegations involving the release of confidential information associated with a child sex abuse case that began in January of last year. At that time, the Elizabethton Police Department began investigating the reported rape of a young girl. The child was medically examined by Tessa Proffitt, 41, a registered nurse who specializes in sexual assault examinations. During the course of the TBI investigation, Special Agents determined that Proffitt disclosed confidential information about the exam to Alicia May, 53, a relative of the suspect in the initial rape investigation. Further investigation revealed that both Proffitt and May also concealed and destroyed evidence related to the rape investigation.   

Last week, the Washington County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Proffitt and May with six counts of Unlawful Disclosure of Confidential Sex Abuse Information, two counts of Tampering with Evidence, and one count of Criminal Conspiracy to Tamper with Evidence. Proffitt and May were arrested on Wednesday and booked into the Washington County Jail on a $5,000 bond each.