Sports Broker Pleads Guilty to Theft

Dec. 11, 2020 – A hospitality agent who fraudulently solicited hundreds of thousands of dollars from investors to buy and sell tickets and amenities to the NFL Super Bowl, the Masters Golf Tournament and other top sporting events pled guilty Thursday to felony theft of property, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Rick Barlow, 53, received a sentence of 20 years on two counts of theft over $60,000. On Jan. 5, he is scheduled to begin serving two years in prison without the possibility for release, while the remaining 18 years will be suspended.

After his release from prison, he will be placed on supervised probation for 24 years, and will be required to make restitution of more than $700,000 to 13 victims.

According to investigators, between June of 2012 and April of 2019 Barlow held himself out as a high-end corporate hospitality agent and sports event broker who purported to buy and sell event packages for a profit, and promised investors a significant return on their investment in addition to the return of the principal invested.

He did business under a variety of names, including Barlow Sports and Entertainment, Game Day Partners, On Demand Hospitality and Geauxforit Hospitality.

On many occasions Barlow signed agreements with investors promising to use their funds for packages that included badges and rental homes for the Masters Golf Tournament, courtside seats and 30-person VIP suites for the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament, and similar packages for golf’s Ryder Cup, NCAA football BCS games, the Rose Bowl, and the Kentucky Derby.

Instead, Barlow used the funds for his personal benefit to pay debts and expenses, including those incurred from gambling trips to Las Vegas. In many instances, he used money from one victim to repay another, often as a means to solicit additional investments from the victims. Investigators concluded that Barlow had solicited some $1.3 million from the victims during his scheme.

The case was handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Dennis Johnson of the District Attorney’s Public Corruption and Economic Crimes Unit.

Boyfriend Indicted in Shooting of Visitor

Dec. 11, 2020 – A Raleigh-area man who came home unannounced and found someone hiding in his closet was indicted Thursday on second-degree murder charges, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Brandon McWay, 36, who is also known as Brandon Hawkins, also was indicted on convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He is free on bond.

Late on the evening of June 14 this year, McWay returned to the Highland Chateau apartment in the 5200 block of Shelbourne Circle that he shared with his girlfriend.

Investigators said Bryan Washington, 35, had been visiting the defendant’s girlfriend and was discovered hiding in a bedroom closet when McWay shot him several times. Washington was taken to a hospital in critical condition where he died several hours later.

McWay was convicted of attempted second-degree murder in 2006 and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Jamie Kidd of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit (SPU) in Division 8 of Criminal Court. The SPU seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders. 

Suspect Indicted in Burglary, Homicide

Dec. 10, 2020 – A 27-year-old man accused of breaking into a southeast Memphis apartment last year and killing a resident has been indicted on first-degree murder and other charges, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury also indicted defendant Jonathan Y. Johnson on one count of especially aggravated burglary and convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

The incident occurred on Dec. 12, 2019, in the 2800 block of Arborvalley Lane in the Waterview Apartment Homes near Kirby Road and Quince Road.

Investigators said Antonio Tucker, 26, was preparing to go to work at FedEx when Johnson broke a sliding glass door, entered the apartment and shot Tucker in the hallway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Johnson was developed as a suspect, and he was arrested on a warrant in February.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Alanda Dwyer of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit (SPU) in Criminal Court Division 7. The SPU seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders.

Man Indicted in Homicide at Dixie Queen

Dec. 10, 2020 – A customer at an ice cream store who sprayed the business with gunfire following an argument over his order has been indicted on first-degree murder charges for the death of an employee, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury also indicted defendant Joshua Holmes, 20, on two counts each of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony.

The incident occurred around midday on May 24 this year at the Dixie Queen at 1181 S. Bellevue Blvd. where Holmes got into an argument with an employee who took his order.

Investigators said Holmes went to his car as if to leave, but quickly returned to the order window with a rifle and fired several shots into the store. Employee Cautious Smith, 20, who was a cook, was struck and killed.

The shooting was captured on surveillance video.

Holmes was developed as a suspect and was arrested on Sept. 1 this year. He is being held in the Shelby County Jail.

The case is being handled by Felony Asst. Jimmy Thomas of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 1 which prosecutes cases in General Sessions Division 7 and in Criminal Court Division 1.    

Man Indicted in Car Dealer’s Death

Dec. 9, 2020 – A 27-year-old man was indicted Tuesday on first-degree murder and other charges related to the shooting death of a car dealer earlier this year in the Raleigh area, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Adrian Moore Jr. also was indicted on felony charges of especially aggravated robbery and convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Investigators said Moore shot Jeremy Jerdine, 33, several times on May 21 at Vehix Inc. in the 2300 block of Chiswood St. during an argument over a vehicle Moore had purchased there earlier.

Jerdine was taken to a hospital in critical condition and died four days later.

Moore, who fled the scene on foot, was developed as a suspect and was arrested on June 9 by the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Jose Leon of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit (SPU) in Criminal Court Division 8. The SPU seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders.

Parents Indicted in Child-to-Child Shooting Death

Dec. 9, 2020 – The parents of a 13-year-old boy who shot and killed his 9-year-old cousin while playing with his father’s gun have been indicted on charges of criminally negligent homicide, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

The defendants, Latria Johnson, 28, and boyfriend Lindsey Williams, 27, also were indicted on a count of reckless endangerment. Williams additionally was indicted on a charge of resisting official detention at the homicide scene.

Investigators said the shooting occurred on March 13, 2020, in the Canterbury Woods Apartments in the Cordova area where the two boys were left alone while their mothers went shopping.

Inside the apartment, the older boy picked up his father’s loaded handgun in the master bedroom and said he accidentally pulled the trigger. A bullet struck young Xavier Jackson in the face, killing him.

Investigators said the gun was left unsecured where the children had access to it.

The case is being handled by Felony Asst. Stacy McEndree of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 6 which prosecutes cases in General Sessions Division 15 and in Criminal Court Division 10.

Mighty Lights Shine Bright for Homicide Victims

Dec. 1, 2020 – On Wednesday, Dec. 2, the Mighty Lights on the Hernando DeSoto Bridge will glow red, white and black after sunset in honor of each of the 293 lives lost to acts of violence in Memphis this year, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Gen. Weirich will deliver remarks on behalf of victims and their loved ones at a 5 p.m. press conference on the outdoor upper level of Beale Street Landing off of Riverside Drive.

The bridge colors were chosen based off of the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, which is on Sept. 25 each year.

Family members and friends are encouraged to view the lights safely on their own time. The DA’s office normally holds a Season of Remembrance indoor ceremony each year at this time, but no formal gathering is planned because of the pandemic.

“No community or family should ever have to go through the tragedy of murder,” said Dist. Atty. Weirich. “This year’s numbers have especially been alarming. Out of the 293 lives lost, 32 of those have been children. We hope that this special display of lights will bring a small bit of peace to all of the families mourning the loss of their loved ones.”

The first 10 minutes of each half hour will be a dynamic light show, and the next 20 minutes of the half hour will be the red, white and black static lights for victims. This alternation will continue until 10:30 p.m. After that, the lights will remain static until sunrise.

The Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office is also providing other socially-distanced opportunities to honor loved ones lost to homicide in Shelby County. Those can be found here.

Season of Remembrance: Remembering Homicide Victims During the Holidays in the Middle of a Pandemic

Nov. 24, 2020 – Due to COVID-19, our office will be unable to host our annual Season of Remembrance event – a ceremony designed to remember Shelby County homicide victims – bringing a small bit of peace to their families during the holiday season. In lieu of our usual ceremony, we are providing socially-distanced opportunities to honor them, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

On Dec. 2, the Mighty Lights will glow red, white and black after sunset in honor of each of the 284 lives lost to violence in Memphis this year. Family members and friends are encouraged to go view the lights along the bluff on their own time. No formal gathering will take place.

On Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m., the Tennessee Season to Remember event in Nashville will be held virtually here. This annual event honors all Tennessee homicide victims. If you would like your family member’s name read during the ceremony, please submit their name to SeasonTo.Remember@tn.gov by Wednesday, November 25.  

During the first week of December, a special tree with a ribbon for each of this year’s homicide victims will be placed outside of 201 Poplar at the corner of BB King Blvd and Washington. Anyone who has lost someone to homicide can hang an ornament on the tree through the end of Dec. in memory of their loved one.   

On Dec. 7-11, our office will be doing a video series with speakers, music and much more. Follow our social media accounts at @ShelbyCountyDA to join us in remembering.

“Too many lives have been lost. Too many families are grieving,” said Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich. “No family should ever have to go through losing a loved one to violence – period. Our hope is that these socially-distanced opportunities bring you a bit of peace during this tougher holiday season.”

For the last nine years, our office has hosted Season of Remembrance. Although it is hard not being together this year, we are doing our part to keep our community safe. This could not have been done without the Mighty Lights, OneVoice at Briarcrest, the Cordova Choir, Pastor James Kirkwood, Pastor Rufus Smith, Grand Jury Unit ADA Dan Byer and Victim/Witness Unit Director Amy McCullough.

Motorists’ Fight Leads to Murder Indictment

Nov. 20, 2020 – A 27-year-old man has been indicted in the fatal shooting of another man after an argument in September at a gas station turned physical, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted William L. Mitchell on a count of second-degree murder. He is free on bond.

The incident occurred on Sept. 9, 2020, at a gas station in the 3600 block of Summer Avenue when Mitchell and another motorist, Austin Norfleet, 31, exchanged angry words over one another’s driving.

The two men began fighting, and Mitchell then pulled a handgun and shot Norfleet once in the chest.

The case is being handled by Felony Asst. Paige Munn of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 6 which prosecutes cases in General Sessions Division 15 and in Criminal Court Division 10.

Man Indicted in Killing of Delivery Driver

Nov. 19, 2020 – A Millington man has been indicted on first-degree murder charges in the early-morning shooting death earlier this year of a delivery truck driver in South Memphis, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury returned the indictment against Tanner Bolding, 23, who is being held in the Shelby County Jail. Bolding also was indicted on attempt to commit especially aggravated robbery.

Investigators said that shortly after 6 a.m. on Sept. 14 a witness flagged down an ambulance in the 1200 block of South Bellevue where paramedics then found Randal Cardwell suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Cardwell, 44, from Paragould, Ark., a delivery truck driver who was making a stop at a fried chicken outlet, was pronounced dead at the scene.  Surveillance video showed a suspect walking towards the back of the truck and moments later running back to a blue Honda Civic and driving away.

An anonymous caller led police to the 1000 block of Talley Place, a short distance away, where they located the Honda Civic and took Bolding into custody. A handgun also was recovered.

Bolding was identified as the suspect seen on the surveillance video, and also gave police a statement about the incident.

The case is being handled by Senior Felony Asst. Neil Umsted and Felony Asst. Regina Thompson of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 3 which prosecutes cases in General Sessions Division 11 and in Criminal Court Division 3.

Teen Shooting Leads to Indictment

Nov. 19, 2020 – A Raleigh teen has been indicted in the shooting death this summer of another teenager at a Frayser service station, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Travis Rogers, 18, on a count of first-degree murder. He is being held in the Shelby County Jail.

Investigators said that on July 31 Rogers pulled a handgun and shot 16-year-old Jamarion Williams who was seated in a car at a service station in the 2800 block of Thomas. The shooting apparently stemmed from an earlier argument.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Forrest Edwards and Chief Prosecutor Chris Lareau of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 3 which prosecutes cases in General Sessions Division 11 and in Criminal Court Division 3.

TBI’s Banks Investigation Now Online

Nov. 18, 2020 – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s report on the non-fatal shooting of a 25-year-old man by a Memphis officer two years ago in South Memphis has been posted online by Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

The case began with the traffic stop on Sept. 17, 2018, of Martavious Banks who sped away from officers when they noticed a handgun in his front seat.

Banks drove for some five miles at a high rate of speed through the streets of South Memphis trying to elude police before stopping at a residence in the 1200 block of Gill Avenue off of Elvis Presley near South Parkway.

An officer who chased him to the front porch shot Banks five times when he said the suspect turned and began to point a handgun at him. The gun was recovered inside the house where Banks collapsed.

Banks, who recovered from his wounds, pled guilty in August of 2018 to intentionally evading arrest in an automobile and creating a risk of death or injury, and to illegal possession of a firearm while having a prior conviction of domestic violence.

He was sentenced to two years of probation, plus an additional 10 months and 12 days of probation for violating terms of probation for a previous assault conviction.

The officer who fired the shots resigned. Three other officers were disciplined for violations of department policy related to body-worn cameras, pursuit and radio communications.

No criminal charges were brought against the officers.

The Banks criminal case been closed for one year, and with no further action pending it is now is considered a public record under Tennessee law.  Gen. Weirich recently petitioned Chancery Court to obtain an order allowing release of the TBI investigation.

The TBI file on the case can be found here. Redactions have been made in accordance with Tennessee law and privacy standards. 

Woman Indicted in Stabbing Death of Friend

Nov. 18, 2020 – A grand jury has indicted a Kentucky woman in the stabbing death of a friend during an argument earlier this year, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Harley Berry, 20, was indicted on a count of second-degree murder. She is being held in the Shelby County Women’s Jail East.

Investigators said that on May 30 Berry was with a group of friends at a rented house in the 900 block of Sheridan when she and 22-year-old Elijah McQueary got into an argument.

Witnesses said Berry grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed McQueary several times, including in the neck. He ran into the front yard, collapsed and was taken to a hospital where he later died.

While then driving back home to Elizabethtown, Ky., investigators said, Berry called the victim’s mother and told her what had happened. She later was arrested there by police and was returned to Memphis.

The case is being handled by Felony Asst. Jimmy Thomas of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 1 which prosecutes cases in General Sessions Division 7 (Veteran’s Court) and in Criminal Court Division 1.

Man Indicted in Stabbing Death, Robbery

Nov. 18, 2020 – A Mississippi man has been indicted on a count of first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing a man while viewing his collection of knives and swords, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Ricky Bing, 40, of Olive Branch also was indicted on a felony count of especially aggravated robbery. He is being held in the Shelby County Jail.

The incident occurred on Jan. 13 this year outside a home in the 3700 block of Tutwiler where Phillip Dorris was showing Bing his collection of daggers, knives, swords and spears for possible purchase.

While handling one of the daggers, however, Bing pressed it to the owner’s neck, then chased and stabbed Dorris in the neck. Bing then drove away in an SUV, taking some of the weapons with him.

Bing was found a short time later hiding nearby in a shed in the 700 block of Wrenwood.

Dorris was hospitalized in extremely critical condition and died from his wounds on June 12. He was 56.

The case is being handled by Felony Asst. Jimmy Thomas of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 1 which prosecutes cases in General Sessions Division 7 (Veterans Court) and in Criminal Court Division 1.

Pair Indicted for Roles in Two Homicides

Nov. 10, 2020 – A Frayser man has been indicted in two fatal shootings that occurred about 10 minutes apart in separate locations in South Memphis earlier this year, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Tarvin Dean, 31, is facing two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder, while a codefendant Darrius Anderson, 37, was indicted on two counts of facilitation of first-degree murder and three counts of facilitation of attempted first-degree murder.

The shootings occurred on April 11, 2020, beginning around 5 p.m. in a grocery parking lot in the 400 block of Buntyn at Midland where police found 22-year-old Javier Jefferson dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

Another man was shot several times in the legs, while a third man was shot in the foot.

Minutes later, policed received reports of a shooting in front of a nearby residence in the 1100 block of Wilson near East McLemore. They found 49-year-old James Coleman dead from multiple gunshot wounds and a 23-year-old man wounded.

Investigators eventually linked the two incidents and took Dean and Anderson into custody nine days later.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Alanda Dwyer of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit (SPU) in Criminal Court Division 7. The SPU seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders.  

Man Indicted in Orange Mound Shootings

Nov. 3, 2020 – A 29-year-old man has been indicted on first-degree murder and multiple other felony charges for allegedly shooting another man who was in a car with a woman and two young children in March in Orange Mound, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury also indicted defendant Romarus Turner on counts of attempted first-degree murder; two counts each of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony; reckless endangerment, and convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Investigators said the victim, Kenton Willett, 26, was killed around 1 a.m. on March 28, 2020, as he pulled up to a residence in the 1100 block of Tunstall. Turner allegedly walked up to the car and began shooting, killing Willett and injuring a 23-year-old woman.

Two children, ages 1 and 3, also were in the car, but were not injured.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Carla Taylor of the District Attorney’s Crime Strategies Narcotics & Prosecution Unit (CSNPU) which handles cases in General Sessions Division 8 (Drug Court) and Criminal Court Division 6.

The CSNPU incorporates and expands the work of the Multi-Agency Gang Unit, the Organized Crime Unit, Project Safe Neighborhoods/GunDone, GunStat, the Safe Streets Task Force and the Violent Crime Unit.    

Shooter Pleads Guilty in 2017 Killing

Oct. 30, 2020 – A Binghampton man pled guilty Friday to second-degree murder in the 2018 shooting death of a man whose body was discovered in a van in an impound lot some seven weeks later, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Mardracus West, 22, was sentenced to 21 years in prison without the possibility for parole and to a concurrent sentence of 12 years for attempted especially aggravated robbery.

Investigators said that around 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 18, 2017, West and two other men approached a van in an apartment parking lot in the 3000 block of Yale Road and attempted to rob the men seated inside.

After demanding money, West began shooting into the van. A 47-year-old man was struck three times and taken to a hospital in critical condition. Two other men in the van were not injured.

About seven weeks later, on Feb. 7, 2018, the wounded victim went to the police impound lot on Klinke Avenue in Frayser to pick up his van and discovered the body of Bardomiano Perez Hernandez, 33, in the rear under a pile of clothes.

The medical examiner said he died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The van owner notified police and told them he did not know Hernandez had been shot during the robbery attempt in December. Another passenger in the vehicle that night told police he thought Hernandez had run away like he himself had done.

West was developed as a suspect and gave police a statement of admission.

The case was handled by Chief Prosecutor Alanda Dwyer of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit (CPU) in Criminal Court Division 7. The CPU seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders.          

Man Indicted in Shooting Death of Girlfriend

Oct. 30, 2020 – A 29-year-old Whitehaven man has been indicted in the shooting death of his girlfriend during an argument this summer, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Jockuss Askew on counts of first-degree murder and convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He is being held in the Shelby County Jail.

Investigators said incident occurred on June 5, 2020, at the apartment he shared with Kenya Brown, 27, in the 4300 block of Eastwind Drive. She was shot in the head and died the following day in a hospital.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Meghan Fowler of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit (SPU) in Criminal Court Division 7. The SPU seems maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders. 

Man Indicted in Fatal Shooting at Nightclub

Oct. 29, 2020 – A man who allegedly opened fire while waiting in a crowded line to enter a rap concert earlier this year has been indicted on first-degree murder and other charges, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Courtez Gray, 20, also was indicted on felony counts of attempted first-degree murder and employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony.

The shooting occurred on Jan. 19, 2020, in the 6700 block of Winchester Road where rap artists and their entourages were waiting to enter at the rear of Truth Club for a performance.

Witnesses said Gray was also in the line, but became upset because he thought the security checks were taking too long. He became angry with one of the security guards and began firing a weapon, striking 19-year-old Mauriceo Dandridge in the neck and killing him.

Gray was developed as a suspect and was arrested about two months later.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Kirby May of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 5 which handles cases in General Sessions Criminal Court Division 13 and in Criminal Court 9.

Man Indicted in Teen’s Shooting Death

Oct. 20, 2020 – A 25-year-old man has been indicted in the August shooting death of a Memphis teen just south of Downtown, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Earnest Smith on charges of first-degree murder.

The victim, 16-year-old Brandon Fleming Jr., was found shot to death on the afternoon of Aug. 16 on Boyd Street. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Smith was developed as a suspect and was arrested five weeks later. He is being held in the Shelby County Jail.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Stephanie Johnson of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 2 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 9 and in Criminal Court Division 2.