Man falsely linked to Drexel case files suit over FBI’s investigation

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - The man once falsely linked to Brittanee Drexel’s disappearance and death is filing a lawsuit, claiming the FBI “advanced false narratives” about him.

Timothy Da’Shaun Taylor filed the complaint against the Department of Justice on Tuesday over the FBI’s investigation of him.

Taylor’s name was first brought up in the Drexel case when an FBI agent testified in court that several people came forward saying he was involved in Drexel’s disappearance.

However, once Raymond Moody confessed to the authorities that he raped and killed the 17-year-old, the FBI said Taylor’s innocence was no longer in question.

Taylor claims the FBI used false narratives in its investigation and abused its power, leading to emotional distress for him and his family.

The pursuit by the FBI also continued despite the agency having evidence linking the real killer, Moody, to the crime, the suit claims.

“For over a decade, my son and his father were relentlessly pursued for a crime that federal law enforcement officials knew neither of them committed because they had evidence to the contrary,” Taylor’s mother, Joan Taylor, said. “Their illegitimate investigation wreaked havoc on our lives — and we demand answers from those responsible. Our family deserves a public apology, and my son deserves for the public to know his name without any association to Brittanee Drexel.”

Taylor was never charged in the case and spent years denying any involvement.

His family has previously said the questioning by investigators and public scrutiny has cost the family jobs and they received death threats.

Taylor lost one of his arms in a childhood accident, which led some people to come to his defense, saying it would be impossible for him to kidnap or kill anyone.

The FBI agent who first linked Taylor to the Drexel case was testifying in an armed robbery case in which Taylor served a probationary sentence.

The federal lawsuit comes a year after Taylor“presented his administrative claims to the FBI and DOJ, with the only response being confirmation of the presentment of his claim,” a news release reads.

A spokesperson for the FBI said they are not commenting on the pending litigation.

WMBF News also reached out to the DOJ for comment and a spokesperson referred us to the FBI.

The full complaint from Timothy has not yet been released.

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