West Memphis firefighter arrested on rape, other felonies

Wilson charged in Memphis, city issues response to case

By Ralph Hardin

news@theeveningtimes.com

AWest Memphis firefighter is behind bars on the other side of the Mississippi River facing a long list of crimes with possibly more to come.

West Memphis firefighter Quinton Wilson has been accused of raping a woman at gunpoint, and according to a Memphis Police Department affidavit.

Wilson was arraigned on a slate of charges, including aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, and employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. He is currently in custody in Memphis, Tennessee, in the Shelby County Jail, held on a $150,000 bond.

According to the affidavit, Memphis Police responded to a call last Thursday evening about a forcible rape that occurred on April 3, in the area of Harrell Street near Faxon Avenue.

On the scene, police found a woman who told police she had been walking along Summer Avenue about 5 p.m. the day before when a man in dark gray vehicle approached. According to the affidavit, she accepted a ride from the man, later identified in a lineup as Wilson, but when she got in the car, he pulled out a gun.

The victim told investigators Wilson took her purse then drove her to an abandoned home, where he forced her to perform sex acts with the gun to her head.

She said after that happened, he forced her out of the car.

The affidavit said the victim was able to provide a license plate number.

It turns out that there could be more charges coming Wilson’s way. After cross referencing data, according to the affidavit, Memphis police received a report of another similar sexual assault on Sunday, April 7 with a man fitting the description in the previous case. Investigators said they were able to connect the license plate numbers in the two cases, and Wilson was the registered owner of the car and was identified by the victim in a photo lineup.

In response to Wilson’s arrest and the charges against him, the City of West Memphis released the following statement: “It has come to our attention that a firefighter with the WMFD was arrested on charges stemming from warrants issued by the Memphis Police Department. The City of West Memphis and the West Memphis Fire Department are deeply troubled by these allegations. We stand firm in our commitment to uphold the highest standards of conduct and integrity for all city employees. We are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation and are taking all necessary steps to address this situation in accordance with the law and our internal policies. We understand the seriousness of these charges and the impact they may have on our community's trust. Please be assured that we are working diligently to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our citizens. We will provide updates as more information becomes available and as appropriate, considering the ongoing legal proceedings.”

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