Georgia Mayor Ousted Over Nude Photos With High School Student

A 23-year-old mayor in Georgia has lost his job after being caught swapping nude pictures with a high schooler. Jayden Williams of Stockbridge faced immediate action from the city council following an inquiry into how he spent public money on a credit card. That probe uncovered even graver charges: he exchanged explicit photos with a male student who turned 18 late last year.

The teen had been chatting with Williams through Instagram and text messages, occasionally mentioning plans to join his mentorship program. During the investigation, Williams initially claimed he could not recall sending the images but eventually admitted to trading them while standing before city officials on Saturday.

'It's not memorable nor is it abnormal for somebody my age. That's not abnormal for somebody my age,' Williams told the council, defending his conduct in a strange reversal of logic. His lawyer, Robert Kenner, called the ouster disappointing and insisted there was no solid evidence behind the decision. He argued the photos were sent before Williams officially took office.

The city confirmed the removal on social media just one day later. 'The City of Stockbridge confirms that the City Council has taken formal action concerning the Office of Mayor following proceedings conducted pursuant to applicable City processes. As a result of that action, the Mayor has been removed from office,' the statement read. Acting Mayor Elton Alexander announced a special election must now be held within six months to fill the vacant seat.

Earlier this week, the council had already stripped Williams of several powers. He lost access to city vehicles, his municipal credit card, private facilities, and direct contact with staff members. Officials also demanded he hand back keys and access cards issued by the government.

On Tuesday, the council hired an independent investigator to review Williams' spending habits. This special vote followed reports from the city manager's office about suspicious activity linked to his finances. Mayor Pro Tem Elton Alexander told Atlanta News First that these concerns prompted the immediate action. Later that day, Williams issued a statement announcing he will now take legal steps to ensure the city follows a 'fair, open, and transparent process.' His official release noted that while he welcomes a full investigation, fairness demands no conclusions be reached or punishment imposed before facts are established and he has been afforded an opportunity to respond.

Even though Williams has been restricted from some mayoral perks, he still retains his responsibilities as mayor for now. The city confirmed in a social media post Sunday that they had removed him from office temporarily. Acting Mayor Elton Alexander stated the city must conduct a special election for the permanent seat within the next six months. He clarified that these restrictions are not disciplinary but temporary while the probe is underway. Alexander added that Williams did not appear Monday to return his cards, yet officials could still deactivate them remotely.

The specific allegations regarding what funding was misused and how much money vanished remain undisclosed at this time. I don't think I have added it up certainly, if it's one dollar, the city doesn't differentiate how much. It's taxpayer dollars and we're supposed to be good stewards of the taxpayer money, Alexander told Atlanta News First. He anticipates the investigation will take around 30-45 days. City officials have not disclosed who the third-party investigator is yet. Stockbridge is a suburb outside of Atlanta with a population of less than 30,000. The mayor's position is only part-time in this municipality.

However, Williams' colleagues have confessed that the mayor's day job is unclear. I'm not sure if he has a job at this point, Alexander told NBC News. A lot of us have asked that question, whether or not he has a job. Williams defeated the odds last election cycle by beating incumbent Anthony Ford with less than 500 votes. He was sworn in just six months ago after winning such a tight race. The young mayor was a fresh graduate of Clark Atlanta University, having earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He became the youngest African American mayor in Georgia's history during this turbulent time. The Daily Mail has reached out to Williams and Alexander for comment on these developing events.