April 20, 2026, 12:17 p.m. CT
- Former Mt. Juliet IT Director Travis Taylor and ex-department technician River Johnson arrested after investigation for allegedly selling old city cell phones.
Two ex-Mt. Juliet information technology department employees have been formally charged for their roles in an alleged cell phone scheme after a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation-led probe, according to the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office.
Travis Taylor is the former Mt. Juliet Information Technology director. Taylor and former Information Department Technician River Johnson were accused of selling old city-used cell phones for personal profit.
Taylor is charged with tampering with or fabricating evidence, theft of property between 1,000 and $2,500 and theft of property between $2,500 and $10,000. He was released on $7,500 bond, according to the sheriff’s office.
Johnson is charged with theft between $2,500 and $10,000, according to jail records. Johnson was released on a $3,500 bond.
The City of Mt. Juliet conducted an internal investigation that led to the employee terminations. Taylor and Johnson were also accused of an inappropriate sexual relationship that occurred during work hours and on city property, a termination letter from the city said.
Neither man had any other disciplinary notices in their personnel files.
Taylor was placed on paid administrative leave Sept. 30, while the city conducted an internal investigation.
District Attorney General Jason Lawson asked the TBI to investigate the allegations.
Taylor and Johnson were fired Oct. 7 for personnel policy violations, including personal conduct, code of ethics, use of city vehicles and equipment, cell phone use, computer and internet use, sexual harassment and the personal relationships policy.
