Tennessee man accused of raping children may be in Williamsburg

Williamsburg Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a Tennessee man, who is wanted on charges of raping children, believed to possibly be in the Williamsburg area.
Williamsburg Police Detective Wayne Bird said that Claiborne County, Tenn., authorities contacted him April 19, in regards to Rodney Kirk Lyons, who is on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations most wanted listed.
Lyons is wanted in Claiborne County on one count of rape, and on eight counts of rape of a child. The victims are ages five, eight, and 15, police noted.
“Claiborne County officials received information that this guy might be in the Brush Arbor area,” Bird said. “This guy actually lived in Brush Arbor back in 2004, and had apparently been back up there recently.
“For whatever reason – possibly due to the charges that came out on him – he just up and left leaving behind all his property, and hasn’t been seen since.”
Police believe Lyons may be hiding in London, Hazard or Manchester, and that he also has connections in South Carolina.
“The latest leads in this case are right here in Williamsburg,” Bird noted Friday afternoon. “TBI officials have received information that he is in Williamsburg, and once we got to looking into it, we received information that he had been spotted here.”
Bird said authorities showed Lyons picture in the Brush Arbor community, and that several residents recognized Lyons. The residents said Lyons had been seen coming and going, but that they didn’t know which apartment he was frequenting.
He added that authorities had numerous calls after WYMT aired a story Thursday about Lyons and showed his picture that confirmed the earlier reports.
“We had several people that called and told us that without a doubt they had seen him there,” Bird noted.
Lyons has allegedly assumed the identity of his brother, Michael Anthony Lyons, and authorities believe that he has either dyed his hair blond or possibly shaved his heard.
Using his brother’s name, Lyon’s has reportedly been working at fast food restaurants in the London area, and may also be using the alias, Josh Turner. He also may be working as a roofer, police noted.
“He is in the company of a black female who he met in London,” Bird said. “Her family hasn’t seen her since she hooked up with this guy, and they have actually reported her missing. It is safe to say that she is probably in the company of Mr. Lyons whereever he is.”
Anyone spotting Lyons, or having information on where he is or they think he may be going, is asked to contact the Williamsburg Police Department, the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, the Kentucky State Police, or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Williamsburg police can be contacted at 549-3037 or 549-6038. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation can be reached at 1-800-TBI-FIND, or 1-865-686-1900.
Bird said authorities have received calls from people panicking because they saw someone that they believed to be Lyons and due the charges against him.
“It is understandable. They just need to keep a little closer supervision on their children, and call the police if they see him,” Bird noted.
“As far as I know, he doesn’t have any violent criminal history that we know of other than what he is wanted for. Those are not charges he has actually been tried for.”