Husband Found Guilty in Wife’s Murder

Aug. 27, 2021 – A Parkway Village man was convicted Friday in the 2017 murder of his wife whose body was discovered in the trunk of her repossessed car on the lot of a towing company in Horn Lake, Miss., said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A Criminal Court jury deliberated less than an hour before finding Melvin Summerville, 43, guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his 42-year-old wife, Anitra Jones-Summerville. He was automatically sentenced to life in prison.

According to testimony, the defendant had a history of assaulting his wife and in April of 2017 her family reported her missing. During an investigation, detectives received a call on April 10, 2017, from a Horn Lake, Miss., towing company where employees had discovered a body in the trunk of a car registered to the victim.

The company had towed the car from Memphis earlier that morning on behalf of a credit agency. The decomposing body was that of Anitra Jones-Summerville. The cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.

Detectives determined that her husband was the last person to see her alive, and that he had told a friend he killed her and how he killed her. Also, phone records showed Summerville returned to the crime scene within 24 hours.

The case was handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Jamie Kidd and Asst. Dist. Atty. Justin Prescott. ADA Kidd is with the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit 8 which seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders. ADA Prescott is with the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit which handles case of domestic assault and homicide committed by intimate partners.  

Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking of Teen

Aug. 27, 2021 – A 27-year-old Memphis man pled guilty Friday to sexually assaulting a teen for nearly two weeks last year after she walked away from a treatment facility, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Johnny Montrail Smith pled guilty in Criminal Court Division 2 to felony counts of rape and trafficking for sexual servitude. He was sentenced to two concurrent terms of eight years in prison without the possibility for parole.

The 15-year-old victim from the Nashville area met Smith around March 1, 2020, after she walked away from a treatment center, and accepted his offer of help with food and shelter. She said he took her to a residence on Carver Avenue where he forced her to have sex after giving her cocaine and ecstasy.

She said that over the next 12 days Smith took her to various residences around Memphis where she was forced to have sex with other men in exchange for lodging for her and Smith.

She said Smith beat her, threatened her with a gun and with a box cutter, and said he would kill her if she did not cooperate or if she tried to leave. On March 12, while walking outdoors with Smith, the young woman abruptly flagged down a passing sheriff’s deputy for help.

Smith was arrested on a warrant the following day.

The criminal case was handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Jermal Blanchard of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit which prosecutes cases of rape, child sexual and physical abuse, and abuse of elderly and vulnerable adults. 

Man Indicted in Stepfather’s Shooting Death

Aug. 27, 2021 – A Mississippi man has been indicted in the shooting death of his stepfather earlier this year in Memphis following a longstanding dispute, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Nicholas Anderson, 20, of Inverness, Miss., on a count of first-degree murder. He is being held without bond.

The shooting occurred the evening of April 4 of this year at the residence of Javarie Mayes, 30, in the 1100 block of Railton Road in the Sherwood Forest area of Prescott Road and Rhodes Avenue.

In the early-morning hours of April 5, Mayes was found dead in his bedroom from multiple gunshot wounds.

Anderson was developed as a suspect and was arrested three days later in Indianola, Miss., by members of the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Task Force. He later was returned to Memphis.

The case is being handled by Senior Felony Asst. Danielle McCollum and by Felony Asst. Melissa Harris of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 1 which handles cases in General Sessions 7 and in Criminal Court Division 1.

Motorist Indicted in Pedestrian’s Death

Aug. 26, 2021 – A driver who appeared to be racing another car in traffic when he lost control and killed a pedestrian last year in the Parkway Village area has been indicted on vehicular homicide charges, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

The driver, Andrea Spencer Jr., 25, is free on $5,000 bond.

The incident happened around 5 p.m. on April 15 last year when Spencer and another vehicle were driving at a high rate of speed going west on Winchester Road. Investigators said the cars were weaving through traffic, but that Spencer lost control just east of Goodlett Road, left the roadway, hit a light pole and then struck a pedestrian.

The pedestrian, Breann Bonds, 23, pushed a friend out of the way before she was struck, police said. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Two small children in the back seat of Spencer’s vehicle were not injured.

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

Gunman Indicted in Killing, Wounding of Unintended Victims

Aug. 26, 2021 – A fight involving two couples and the death of an innocent neighbor earlier this year has led to the murder indictment of one man and aggravated assault charges against his girlfriend, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Cliff Swift, 20, on counts of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony. His girlfriend, Marveona Roper, 19, was indicted on two counts of aggravated assault.

The incident happened around 8 p.m. on Feb. 7 this year at an apartment in the 600 block of Mississippi Blvd. in South Memphis where Roper and another woman were involved in a fight. Police said Roper threatened the woman with a knife and cut the woman’s cousin.

An investigation showed that Swift fired a shot at the other woman’s boyfriend, but struck the woman in the lower leg by mistake. When the boyfriend ran out of the apartment and into the breezeway, investigators said Swift fired again, with the bullet going through the window of another apartment.

As police were wrapping up their investigation at the scene of the fight, they noticed the bullet hole in the neighbor’s apartment. Inside they found 22-year-old DaJae Davis, dead from a gunshot wound to the chest. Her two-year-old daughter who was next to her was not injured.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Theresa McCusker of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 1 which prosecutes cases in General Sessions Division 7 and in Criminal Court Division 1.                     

Friend Indicted in Car Theft, Homicide of Frayser Man

Aug. 26, 2021 – A Memphis man arrested in Georgia driving a stolen car has been indicted in the February death of a Frayser man who was found in his bedroom shot in the head, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Clifton Groves, 20, was indicted on counts of first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree felony murder (in perpetration of a theft), and theft of property over $10,000. He is being held in the Shelby County Jail.

On Feb. 16 of this year, police were called to a Frayser residence on Skycastle Cove where they found homeowner Marquette Yarbrough, 38, dead in his bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head.

Groves, who was known by the nickname “Priest,” had been staying with Yarbrough for the past month. Groves was missing as was Yarbrough’s gold-colored sedan.

Four days later, officers in Dooly County, Ga., just south of Macon, called Memphis police and told them they had stopped Groves driving the sedan which they discovered was connected to the homicide in Memphis.

Groves was returned to Memphis about three weeks later.

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

Driver Indicted in Girlfriend’s Shooting Death

Aug. 25, 2021 – A 40-year-old man who earlier this year drove to a police precinct with his mortally wounded girlfriend in the front seat has been indicted on first-degree murder charges, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury also indicted the defendant, Jonathan Turner, on a felony count of convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He is being held without bond.

According to investigators, Turner pulled up to the MPD Raines Station Precinct in Whitehaven at around 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 this year, exited his vehicle with his hands raised, and told officers, “I just shot my girl.”

In the front seat of his SUV was Nastasya Gooden, 34, who was unresponsive from multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. She had been shot at least four times in the head and neck area. A handgun was found on the parking lot next to the SUV.

Turner told detectives he was responsible for his girlfriend’s death but offered no details.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Jose Leon of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit which seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders.     

Woman Indicted in Boyfriend’s Death

Aug. 19, 2021 – A Fox Meadows woman has been indicted in the shooting death of her boyfriend earlier this year, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Stephanie Briggs, 34, on felony counts of second-degree murder and convicted felon in possession of a handgun. She is being held in the Shelby County Women’s Jail East.

The shooting occurred around 5:20 a.m. on March 25 this year at their apartment on Treasure Island East in the Residences at Lakeview off of South Mendenhall Road.

Police found 43-year-old Jason Delaney on the bathroom floor with gunshot wounds to his neck and upper back. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators said Briggs gave several different accounts, including that her boyfriend had stepped outside briefly and that she heard a gunshot. She said he stumbled back into the apartment and collapsed.

Upon further questioning, however, Briggs said she shot her boyfriend during an argument.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Shelby Patrick of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit which prosecutes cases of domestic assault and homicide committed by intimate partners.  

Driver Convicted in Road-Rage Shooting

Aug. 18, 2021 – A Memphis motorist was convicted Wednesday in a 2018 road-rage shooting on I-40 in which another vehicle was struck by several bullets, including one that grazed the foot of a 4-year-old boy riding in a child’s seat, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A Criminal Court jury convicted Anthony Holmes on 10 felony counts, including three counts each of attempted voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony. Holmes also was found guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

He remains in custody and will be sentenced Sept. 15 by Judge Glenn Wright. Holmes pled guilty in 2011 to a voluntary manslaughter charge and served part of a 10-year prison sentence.

The incident on trial occurred around 10:30 a.m. on June 21, 2018, in the westbound lanes of I-40 near Airways after Holmes became angry in traffic at another motorist who was traveling with his girlfriend and their young son.

The 26-year-old driver said Holmes pulled alongside of him, fired several shots into his moving vehicle, and drove off through traffic. One of the shots grazed the top foot of the couple’s young son in the back seat. He was treated at the scene.

The case was handled by Felony Asst. Will Cranford and Asst. Dist. Atty. Julie Cardillo of the District Attorney’s Vertical Prosecution Team 2 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 9 and in Criminal Court Division 2.  

Grandson Indicted in Raleigh Woman’s Murder; Extradited This Week from San Diego

Aug. 18, 2021 – A Tennessee man has been indicted in the killing earlier this year of his 63-year-old grandmother who was found beaten and stabbed in her Raleigh apartment, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Juamark Ryans, 25, and his girlfriend, Kiawana Haynes, 20, were arrested six days later in San Diego where they had tried to steal a yacht. Ryans said his name was Miguel Williams and that the yacht belonged to a wealthy uncle.

Ryans, who was extradited to Memphis this week, was indicted on first-degree murder charges in the death of Bessie Lee Williams who was found dead on Feb. 22 in her apartment in the 2600 block of East Barbara Circle.

Haynes was indicted on a felony count of facilitation of first-degree murder. She is being held on $1 million bond at the Shelby County Women’s Jail East.

Ryans and Haynes, both from Clarksville, had been staying with the victim, whose car was recovered in San Diego after the arrest of the couple at a marina there on Feb. 28.

San Diego police were called when a 56-foot yacht that Ryans was trying to steal from the marina struck the rocks in the jetty, damaging the hull and propeller. Ryans pled guilty there to theft of property over $10,000.

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

Party Crasher Indicted in Murder Case

Aug. 18, 2021 – A man who crashed a birthday party in February at a Frayser apartment and allegedly shot one of the guests has been indicted on murder charges, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Cordareo Vaughn, 32, on a count of second-degree murder and convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He is being held on $120,000 bond.

The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on Feb. 27 this year on Vayu Court in the Breezy Point Apartments where several men crashed a birthday party. When the hostess turned off the music and asked the men to leave, they began throwing liquor bottles at some of the women.

During an argument that followed, Vaughn allegedly produced a long gun and fired several shots at the hostess’s cousin, 30-year-old Alvin Cross, who was struck in the chest.

Cross collapsed on the floor where he was pronounced dead by paramedics a short time later.

Vaughn was developed as a suspect and was taken into custody in April.

The case is being handled by Senior Felony Asst. Bryce Phillips and Felony Asst. Ryan Thompson of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 5 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 13 and in Criminal Court 9.

Defendant Convicted in Robbery, Hammer Attack

Aug. 16, 2021 – A Criminal Court jury has convicted a Memphis man of robbing a 40-year-old new acquaintance in 2016 and beating him on the head repeatedly with a claw hammer, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Zaciaro Moore was convicted Friday on felony counts of especially aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, and theft of property over $1,000. He remains in custody and is scheduled be sentenced Sept. 17 by Judge Chris Craft.

The incident occurred shortly before 4 a.m. on April 15, 2016, at the victim’s apartment on Third Cove in Raleigh. Investigators found the victim with multiple cuts on his face and scalp, as well as with several circular dents left by the hammer attack.

He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and also was treated for skull fractures and placed on a ventilator.

According to testimony, Moore had been staying with the victim after meeting him online several days earlier. The two were involved in an early-morning argument during which Moore struck the victim in head with the hammer nearly a dozen times.

Moore then stole the victim’s TV, cellphone, wallet, and automobile. He was arrested several hours later at a nearby apartment complex.

The case was handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Jose Leon of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit 8 which seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders.

Statement from Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich

Aug. 16, 2021 – The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference has appointed District Attorney General Glenn Funk of Nashville to handle the case of State of Tennessee v. Gregory Livingston.

This action is in regards to this statement I released last week.

“Today I learned an investigator in this office had an off-duty job with Allied Security and might be a witness in the prosecution of Gregory Livingston. The investigator has been put on leave without pay for failing to notify me of this immediately. I do not want anything to cast a shadow over the pursuit of justice so I am recusing our office. I have spoken to Mr. Crump, the family’s attorney, and have asked the District Attorney’s conference to appoint a special prosecutor.”

North Memphis Homes Closed As Public Nuisances

Aug. 11, 2021 – A long-term investigation by the Multi-Agency Gang Unit has led to the drug-trafficking conspiracy indictments of 40 people and the closures of three North Memphis residences used as centers for distribution of cocaine and other illegal narcotics, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich. 

The residences at 1357, 1361-1363 (duplex) and at 1364 Standridge St. near Chelsea and North Hollywood were closed as public nuisances under a civil statute following a petition filed by DA Weirich and Memphis Chief Legal Officer/City Atty. Jennifer Sink. 

They said the residences were used to store and distribute cocaine, and represent “an uncontrolled danger and a nuisance, serving as a haven for drug-related sales, violence, criminal disturbances, and other dangerous behavior.”  

A petition for closure was approved by Environmental Court Judge Patrick Dandridge who issued a temporary injunction/restraining order. A hearing is set for 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 16 for the owners to show why the closures should not be made permanent.

The investigation by Memphis police, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and federal agents from Aug. 1, 2018, to April 1, 2021, revealed that cocaine, ecstasy/MDMA pills, and marijuana was bought and sold by defendants, some of whom also were charged with illegal possession of firearms as convicted felons. 

“I am pleased that this operation has been successful in getting these drugs and firearms off the street, with many stolen vehicles being recovered, as well,” said Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Jr. “The people of Memphis and Shelby County deserve to live in safe communities, and this Multi-Agency Gang Unit operation that has led to the arrest of these individuals will benefit all of our citizens.”

Many of the narcotic dealers on Standridge are members of the Vice Lords and the Gangster Disciples, traditionally rival gangs but who worked cooperatively selling drugs in the area, the investigation showed. 

Investigators said drug sales on Standridge typically began around 7 a.m. each day and continued past midnight.

Last month MGU and agents from Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested 32 suspects on Standridge and seized 17 weapons, four pounds of cocaine, four pounds of marijuana, a dozen vehicles, and 300 pills of ecstasy/MDMA, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.

The homes are less than a half-mile from three churches and two schools. Records indicate William Hill owns the abandoned residence at 1357 Standridge; the duplex at 1361/1363 Standridge is owned by Screaming Eagle Properties LLC of American Fork, Utah, and that 1364 Standridge is owned by John Freeman. 

Defendants often would buy drugs for resale by others named in the indictments, including large-scale distributors and street-level dealers. In some instances, defendants imported large amounts of cocaine from out of state with intentions of distributing it to other dealers.

On Nov. 19, 2019, a suspect arrested outside of 1364 Standridge had 12.9 grams of cocaine, 1.2 pounds of marijuana, and $3,649 in cash. 

“We will continue to work together to end illegal gun usage, drug sales, and gang activity,” said Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis. “House by house, street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood, we will rid our city of criminal activity.”

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Paul Hagerman of the District Attorney’s Crime Strategies & Narcotics Prosecution Unit and by William L. Gibbons Jr. of the City of Memphis – Law Division. 

Similar investigations by law enforcement have resulted in the DA’s office filing nuisance petitions against the owners of residential and business properties. Some have resulted in the permanent closure of the properties while others have reopened under consent orders to curb the crime and nuisance activity.    

Defendants arrested so far include Contino Burns, Steven Freeman, John Albae, John Freeman, Telly Hammond, Questor Boyd, Keith Jordan, Delaney Williams, Duncan Winston, Marcus Alsobrook, Antonio Strawder, Maggie Cannady, Jarmal Baker, Oscar Ellis, Devonte Horne, Lakenton Fields, Nathaniel Kimble, Morton Bobo, Caurniesha Stephens, Frederick Hawthorne, Kanisha Davis, Michael Martin, Romena Davis and Ralph Faulker.

Hickory Hill Duplex Closed as Nuisance

Aug. 11, 2021 – A duplex in Hickory Hill was closed as a public nuisance Tuesday because of long-term criminal activity, including drug trafficking, gang violence, and other dangerous conditions, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Between January of 2020 and July of 2021, police received 2,698 calls for service within a quarter-mile radius of the duplex at 5607-5609 Apple Blossom Drive near Clarke Road south of Winchester Road.

Authorities said 17 arrests have been made at the duplex related to aggravated assaults, the recovery of stolen vehicles, illegal drugs, and overdoses. Last month officers found a suspect’s backpack containing more than $17,000 in cash that was seized as suspected proceeds from illegal drug sales.

DA Weirich and Memphis Chief Legal Officer/City Atty. Jennifer Sink said in court papers the nuisance petition was filed “in an effort to stop a long-term and worsening problem of criminal activity” occurring at the duplex.

Environmental Court/General Sessions Division 14 Judge Patrick Dandridge issued a temporary injunction/restraining order closing the residences pending a hearing at 10 a.m. on Aug. 16.

The property’s owner is listed as Raya Niranjani of San Jose, Calif., and is a mile or less from a public park, two churches and an elementary school.

The investigation was conducted by the Memphis Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit, the Multi-Agency Gang Unit, and special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Paul Hagerman of the District Attorney’s Crime Strategies & Narcotics Prosecution Unit and by William L. Gibbons Jr. of the City of Memphis – Law Division.

Motorist Indicted in Alcohol-Related Vehicular Homicide Case

Aug. 9, 2021 – A Memphis man who was driving at a high rate of speed on I-40 last summer when he crashed into the concrete median has been indicted in the death of a passenger who was partially ejected in the crash, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Richard Brooks, 26, on felony counts of vehicular homicide involving intoxication and vehicular homicide involving recklessness, and on misdemeanor counts of DUI with a BAC over 0.08, DUI involving an intoxicant, and reckless driving. He is free on a $5,000 bond.

The crash occurred around 10:30 p.m. on June 16, 2020, in the eastbound lanes of I-40 near Germantown Parkway. Two other motorists said Brooks was traveling at an estimated 100 mph and racing with another vehicle when he swerved and struck the center concrete median.

His passenger, David Crume, 27, was partially ejected, struck the top of the median, and was pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force head injuries. Investigators said liquor and beer bottles were found inside and near Brooks’ vehicle.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Vanessa Murtaugh of the District Attorney’s DUI Unit which works with law enforcement to reduce the number of DUI-related fatalities and injuries.

Woman Indicted in Murder of Husband’s Girlfriend

Aug. 4, 2021 – A Frayser woman has been indicted in the shooting death earlier this year of her estranged husband’s girlfriend with whom he had been living, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury Tuesday indicted Pamela Castle, 36, on a count of first-degree murder. She is being held on $1 million bond in Shelby County Women’s Jail East.

Investigators said the incident occurred shortly before 7 a.m. on Feb. 13 at the victim’s apartment in the 2600 block of Nightengale Drive near Range Line Road and Whitney Avenue.

Police initially received a 911 call from Shelby Campbell saying Castle was vandalizing her apartment, but minutes later the call was upgraded to “shots fired.” When officers arrived they found Campbell, 26, unresponsive and with a gunshot wound to her upper torso.

She was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Castle’s estranged husband, who was in an upstairs bedroom, said he heard the defendant cursing at Campbell and then heard glass breaking, followed by several gunshots. He said he looked out the window and saw a woman who appeared to be his wife driving away in a white vehicle.

She was tracked to the Atlanta area where she was arrested that evening.

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.

Boyfriend Pleads Guilty to Abusing Two Girls

Aug. 3, 2021 – The live-in boyfriend of a Westwood woman pled guilty Monday to attempting to sexually molest one of her young daughters and stabbing another in incidents that occurred more than a year apart, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Ray T. Jones, 46, pled guilty to felony counts of solicitation to commit aggravated sexual battery of a minor and aggravated abuse of a child age 8 years or less.

Jones, who was scheduled to be tried Monday, pled “open to the court,” meaning there is no agreed-upon sentence. He remains in custody and is set to be sentenced on Sept. 3 by Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Mitchell.

The first incident occurred on April 22, 2017, at the home on Wester Park Drive when Jones offered money to a 12-year-old girl if she would let him touch and fondle her. The girl refused and the next day wrote a note to her mother detailing what Jones had done.

On Aug. 27, 2018, investigators said Jones became angry when he learned that a criminal case against him was still open from the incident, and that he grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed the girl’s 8-year-old sister in the shoulder. The older sister, then 13, jumped on his back to get him to stop.

When police arrived, Jones came out of the house with the knife in his hand, cursing officers and refusing their orders to drop the knife as he advanced toward them. One officer subdued him with a Taser, while another officer disarmed and handcuffed him.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Gavin Smith of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit which handles cases of rape, child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse of children, elder abuse and vulnerable adult abuse.

Sex Offender Convicted in Rape of Student

Aug. 2, 2021 – A Memphis man on the state Sex Offender Registry was convicted Friday of the rape of a University of Memphis freshman student he was trying to recruit for his online prostitution business, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A Criminal Court jury found Willie James Taylor Jr. guilty of rape, two counts of promoting prostitution, and assault involving bodily injury. Taylor, 39, remains in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced later by Judge Chris Craft.

According to testimony in the week-long trial, the student said that in September of 2018 she was befriended online by a woman working for Taylor who told her she could make money as an escort.

The 18-year-old student said she did not believe the work would require having sex, and that the woman picked her up at her dorm to discuss the matter further. Waiting in the car, however, was Taylor who drove them to a Whitehaven hotel on Winchester where she learned the woman, 21, was working for Taylor as a prostitute and recruiter.

The student said they told her that she too would be working for Taylor as a prostitute and that she would be required to give him the money. Taylor then raped her and made her pose for suggestive photos to post online to attract customers.

When the student eventually was allowed to leave, she returned to her dorm and called the police.

Taylor has been on the Sex Offender Registry since 2007 for a sexual battery conviction. He also has a pending aggravated rape cold case from 2005 involving a 16-year-old high student.

The trial this week was handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Alyssa Hennig of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit (SVU) and by Asst. Dist. Atty. Jamie Kidd of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit (SPU) Division 8.

The SVU prosecutes cases of rape, child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse of children, elder abuse and vulnerable adult abuse. The SPU seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders.

Two Indicted in Motel Murder, Robbery Try

Aug. 2, 2021 – Two men have been on first-degree murder charges in the killing of a 54-year-old man during a robbery attempt last December outside of a motel in northeast Memphis, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendants Joshua Black and Daron Clayborne, both 22, were indicted on felony counts of first-degree murder and attempted especially aggravated robbery. They are being held in the Shelby County Jail without bond.

Investigators said that shortly after midnight on Dec. 8, 2020, the defendants followed Jimmy A. Moore from a gas station convenience store to a nearby motel in the 1500 block of Sycamore View Road near Interstate 40.   

While Moore was standing outside the motel under a canopy, Black and Clayborne confronted him at gunpoint, demanded money and shot him during a struggle.

Investigators with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office soon developed Black and Clayborne as suspects, and took both into custody later that morning.

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