Image Credit: @USMarshalsHQ / X
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that during the nearly two months since the Memphis Safe Task Force (MSTF) has been active in the city, eleven individuals have been federally indicted for assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers during task force operations.
This information comes after a Monday press conference by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi alongside other state and federal leaders touting the success of the MSTF, which has dramatically slashed crime numbers including a 48% drop in murders, 49% decrease in sexual assaults, and 61% reduction in robberies compared to last year.
As of Nov. 25, the U.S. Marshals Service reports almost 3,200 total arrests, 121 missing children located, 328 gang members detained, and 502 firearms seized. And within that number are the 11 suspects who chose to interfere with or assault MSTF officers who were performing their duties.
Reportedly, all 11 cases involved traffic stops or highway pursuits and included traffic violations like running red lights, driving without headlights, or having fraudulent temporary tags or excessive window tint.
The suspects and their offenses are:
- Oct. 1- Luis Cordova, 26: Stopped after allegedly running a red light, found to be driving without a valid license. Attempted to flee while being handcuffed, charged with resisting, opposing, impeding, or interfering with a federal officer.
- Oct. 3- Demario Burton, 21: Pulled over for driving without headlights. A Tennessee Highway Patrol (trooper) found suspected drugs and began arresting Burton who then fled the scene. He was charged with resisting, opposing, impeding, or interfering with a federal officer.
- Oct. 6- Montavious Neal, 27: Stopped for illegal window tint. When pulled over, reportedly put his car in reverse and struck the police unit several times. Two firearms were found in the vehicle. Charged with assault on a federal officer.
- Oct. 23- Luiz Gonzalez, 28: Stopped for fraudulent license plates, sped away when officers initiated a stop. Avoided stop strips during the chase and nearly struck an officer. Charged with assault on a federal officer.
- Oct. 29- Jesus Escobar-Villalta, 30: Provided a false Honduras ID to THP troopers during a stop for traffic violations. Allegedly refused to exit the vehicle and is accused of attempting to grab a trooper’s holstered weapon and biting a U.S. Marshal’s thigh during his forced removal from the car. Charged with assault on a federal officer.
- Nov. 2- Christopher Vanzant, 53: Identified by THP troopers driving a wanted vehicle out of Mississippi. Led officers on a high-speed chase through neighborhoods, striking a fence and a trooper’s vehicle. After his arrest, officers say he lit a clear glass pipe believed to contain meth and struck an officer in the head. Charged with assault on a federal officer.
- Nov. 4- Sanchon Dillup-Jones, 36: Reckless driving in a strip mall where pedestrians were present, allegedly refused to exit his vehicle and drove off with a trooper’s body partially inside the car, dragging the trooper 50-60 feet. Charged with assault on a federal officer.
- Nov. 4- Nicomedes Jimenez, 37: Wanted on two active warrants for aggravated assault and domestic assault. Memphis police and Fayette County Sheriff’s deputies attempted a stop but were led on a 20-mile high-speed chase before Jimenez lost control and crashed into a barricade. He then attempted to strike a task force officer with his vehicle. Faces assault-related federal charges.
- Nov. 6- Justin Hardaway, 26: Driving a vehicle with no license plate or rear bumper, fled at high speed when a Memphis officer attempted a stop. Intentionally struck a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) vehicle three times and left his vehicle in drive, nearly hitting about 20 children who were getting off a school bus. Charged with assault on a federal officer.
- Nov. 7- Khaulee Harrison, 22: Observed by THP and HSI officers drag racing on I-40. He then fled at speeds exceeding 100 mph and struck a THP vehicle head-on. Charged with assault on a federal officer.
- Nov. 12- Shone Pugh, 24: Passenger in a vehicle stopped by a U.S. Marshal. When asked to exit, Pugh allegedly threw the Marshal to the ground and fled. A firearm reported stolen from the Kansas City Police Department was recovered. Charged with assault on a federal officer.
All 11 suspects were charged by federal criminal complaints filed in the United States Magistrate Court in the Western District of Tennessee, citing violations of United States Code Section (18 U.S.C. § 111).
The law states, “Whoever forcibly assaults, resists, opposes, impedes, intimidates, or interferes with any person designated as an officer or employee of the United States while engaged in or on account of the performance of official duties” commits an offense punishable by fine and/or jail time.
“We take all threats against law enforcement very seriously, and we have zero tolerance for any assault on federal officers. There is no constitutional right to resist arrest, and doing so endangers everyone involved. During the MSTF operation and every day, we urge anyone who encounters a law enforcement officer to comply first, and, if warranted, complain later. We will enforce Attorney General Pam Bondi’s warning: ‘If you touch any law enforcement officer, we will come after you,’” said U.S. Attorney Mike Dunavant.
The warning to which Dunavant referred came from a statement made by Bondi at the inception of the task force in early October where she promised protection for task force members so they could perform their jobs without hesitation. She said, “We want cops to be cops again. You can go out there, and your job, and our U.S. Attorney is here, and we are going to charge anyone federally, and we are going to go tell all of the officers soon that if you touch a police officer, you will be arrested. If you touch a federal officer, it will be assaulting a federal officer. We’re going to do everything we can to protect you so you can protect the citizens of Memphis.”
It appears the U.S. Attorney’s office is intent on keeping that promise as the MSTF continues their efforts to restore law and order to the city.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
