NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Special Agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have arrested the father of the country group, The Willis Clan, in connection to an ongoing child rape investigation.
According to a press release, agents began investigating Toby Nathaniel Willis (DOB 4-29-70) on August 29. During the course of the investigation, Agents developed information Willis had a sexual encounter approximately 12 years ago with an underage female. The investigation into Willis remains active and ongoing.
Today, TBI Agents arrested the 46-year-old in Greenville, Kentucky, where he travelled in an effort to avoid law enforcement, and charged him with one count of Rape of a Child.
At the time of this release, he was being held in the Muhlenberg County Jail without bond on a Fugitive from Justice warrant. He will ultimately face extradition to Cheatham County, where once booked, he will be held in the Cheatham County Jail without bond.
Ongoing investigative efforts revealed Wills hitchhiked sometime between Monday, September 5 and Tuesday, September 6 from Shepherdsville, Kentucky, just south of Louisville, to Greenville, approximately 115 miles away.
During the course of travel, Agents believe he accepted rides from at least two individuals. Agents would like to locate and speak with those individuals as part of the investigative process. Anyone with information that may be of assistance should contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
Willis and his family were stars of the hit TLC reality show, “The Willis Family.” It followed the singing group, which consists of 12 children, as they performed around the country.
WKRN contributed to this report.