Stockbridge Mayor Jayden Williams Faces Ethics Probe Over Texts

Jayden Williams, the Mayor of Stockbridge, is embroiled in an ethics probe and a civil legal dispute with the City of Stockbridge following the discovery of sexually suggestive text messages and nude photographs exchanged with an 18-year-old high school student. The messages, which began in December 2025, were uncovered by police during an unrelated burglary investigation.

While investigators determined no criminal laws were broken because the student was legally an adult, they noted the relationship raised ethical and professional concerns due to a mentorship connection. Councilwoman LaKeshia Gantt testified that the city restricted the administrative privileges of Williams in July to avoid legal liability. The city is also investigating the mayor's use of city purchasing cards.

Williams denies any misconduct, asserting that the messages occurred before he took office in January 2026 and that the student was not involved in the official Mayor for a Day program. A judge recently ordered the city to restore his access to City Hall. An evidentiary hearing to determine the outcome of the investigation is scheduled for August 22, 2026.