Former police officer accused of raping and sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Tonight a former Bayou La Batre police officer was charged with rape and sexual abuse.

According to the Mobile County District Attorney's Office, 38-year-old William “BJ” Squires is charged with four felonies: first-degree rape with force, second-degree rape of a victim 12 to 16 years old, sexual abuse with force and second-degree sexual abuse to some extent on a victim aged 12 to 16 years.

District Attorney Keith Blackwood said this all happened in Mobile nearly 20 years ago.

“This charge stems from an incident brought to our attention that occurred during the 2005 and 2006 school years involving a then 14-year-old victim,” Blackwood said. “BJ Squires was over 18 years old at the time, so the alternative is forcible rape and sexual abuse and sexual abuse of a minor.”

On Sept. 25, Squires' home was searched after Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said he was facing allegations of sexual misconduct with underage girls.

That same day, FOX10 News first spoke with Gene Williams, who said his daughter was a victim of Squires in 2009.

Williams told me that his daughter was targeted by Squires after he allegedly asked his daughter for explicit photos of herself. A complaint was subsequently filed in 2009, but Squires was never charged in the case.

Today, Williams sat down with me and described the feelings he felt after hearing that Squires was finally behind bars.

“My very first emotional reaction was elation,” Williams said. “Finally, after 16 years of fighting and trying to close this gap. But after listening to the details, I would say that I was disgusted by those details because our, I think our involvement in our case in uncovering the case so early prevented what happened and that's why I was disgusted by the events that some of these victims have endured. But then I was even angrier when I found out that even my case didn't have to happen in 2009 since I knew it happened before 2005. This guy should have been treated back in 2005.”

He said he hoped to send a message not only to the victims but also to their fathers.

“First and foremost, I would like to apologize to the victims,” he said. “It didn't have to happen, it should never have happened, in a place and in a community where you feel safe. If you're out there and this has happened to you from this or any other case, because let's face it, I'm not so naive as to sit here and say this is the only predator we have in our city. Now we are heard. Don't be afraid to come forward and announce your case. Fathers, as much as you want to take control and get revenge, let Sheriff Burch and District Attorney Blackwood handle it. Follow the rules and these guys are in control, they have our best interest, the best interest of the community and the best interest of our daughter.”

Squires was not charged in the 2009 case against Williams, but Blackwood said the matter would continue to be investigated.

The Squires' bail was set at $110,000. He has since been released from prison on bail.

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