Our office recently received a letter from two politicians running for office, including State Senator Brent Taylor, requesting records and information about how we handle violent criminal cases. We responded fully and factually. But because the letter contained claims about our office that are simply not accurate, I want to speak to you directly.
The letter suggested that our office takes a soft approach to violent crime. I want to be clear with you: that is not true, and the numbers prove it.
Since January, this office has obtained over 2,700 convictions yielding more than 5,500 years sentenced — more than any other District Attorney’s Office in the state of Tennessee.
The very week that letter arrived, our office secured sentences of 40 years for aggravated rape, 33 years for second-degree murder, and multiple 25-year sentences for attempted murder and homicide. That is not a soft record. That is accountability.
The letter also concluded that dozens of defendants in violent cases received “no jail time.” That conclusion was wrong. It failed to account for the significant time most of those defendants had already served in jail before their cases were resolved. It also attributed to our office sentencing outcomes that were, in many instances, imposed by a judge over our objection.
Where we do agree to a suspended sentence with a probation period, it is because the case is nonviolent; the defendant lacks a significant criminal record; the defendant already spent a significant amount of time in jail; or there are problems with the evidence making it risky to go to trial. Very often, several (if not all) of those things are true. In all such cases, if the defendant reoffends or violates one of the probation conditions, we can ask the court to activate the suspended prison sentence.
Those probation conditions are important. More than in the past, our office has insisted on tough rehabilitation requirements for defendants receiving probation—GED, job training, drug or mental health treatment, etc.—to reduce the risk that the defendant will be a repeat offender. Data from across the country shows that in many cases, such rehabilitation-oriented alternatives can be more effective than straight incarceration in reducing that repeat-offender risk.
I have always believed in transparency. We responded to this request thoroughly and went beyond what the law required to provide useful information. And I am sharing this with you now for the same reason: you deserve to know the truth about how your DA’s office is operating, not a version of it shaped by bad data or political framing.
We will not be misrepresented without response. And we will always put the facts in front of you so you can judge for yourself.
For more information, including our full press release and one-pager, you can view them here: https://www.scdag.com/news-releases/shelby-county-das-office-responds-to-senator-marsha-blackburns-information-request-corrects-material-inaccuracies
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Former Memphis Firefighter Pleads Guilty on All Counts in Child Sexual Exploitation Case: Assistant District Attorney Dru Carpenter successfully handled the case of former Memphis firefighter Zachary Richey, who pled open to the court on all five counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and immediately went into custody. Richey entered the plea after a jury had been selected and just before opening statements were set to begin. He now faces between 8 and 60 years in prison and will return to court for a sentencing hearing at a later date.
Carpenter secured the guilty plea without a plea agreement in place, resolving the case on all charged counts, each classified as a Class B felony.
The case stems from an investigation into online accounts linked to Richey. Prosecutors presented evidence that investigators found more than 1,200 images and videos of child sex abuse material on Richey’s phone. Authorities received information through a complaint to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and investigators determined Richey possessed numerous files depicting children engaged in sexual acts or lascivious poses.
ADA Dru Carpenter handled the case.
Probable Cause Found in Domestic Violence Case; Judge Revokes Defendant’s Bond: Assistant District Attorney Jessie Nabors successfully handled the preliminary hearing for Johnny Dansberry, who faces charges of Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault, and two counts of Domestic Assault. Following the April 22, 2026 hearing, General Sessions Court Judge Greg Gilbert found probable cause on all charges, and the case now proceeds to the Grand Jury. Judge Gilbert also revoked Dansberry’s bond after prosecutors presented proof that the defendant sent intimidating messages to the victim, in violation of a no–contact protective order.
Nabors presented the State’s proof during the hearing and secured the revocation of bond based on the defendant’s conduct while the case remained pending.
The case stems from allegations of domestic violence and kidnapping, which prosecutors presented during the preliminary hearing to establish probable cause on all charges.
ADA Jessie Nabors handled the hearing.
Probable Cause Found In April 2026 Road Rage Assault Case: Assistant District Attorney Ginny Britto successfully handled the preliminary hearing for Jalen Shelton, who faces charges including Criminal Attempt: First-Degree Murder, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, and Aggravated Assault. Following testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, General Sessions Court Judge Louis Montesi found probable cause on the Criminal Attempt: First-Degree Murder charge, and the case now proceeds to the Grand Jury.
Britto presented testimony from the victim, a third-party witness, and a crime scene investigator. Despite suffering severe injuries and ongoing liver failure, the victim appeared in court and testified about the shooting. Shelton currently remains out of custody after posting bond.
The case stems from an April 2026 road rage shooting in which prosecutors allege Shelton fired multiple shots at another driver after threatening to shoot him during a confrontation in traffic. The victim suffered serious gunshot injuries, crashed into a pole while losing blood, and remains in critical condition with two bullets still lodged near vital organs. Prosecutors also allege Shelton committed a separate March 2025 shooting at Klassy Kids Daycare, where he allegedly fired shots at another victim in a parking lot.
ADA Ginny Britto handled the hearing.
DA Mulroy Celebrated for Community Service at Charity Gala
 DA Mulroy was honored with an award for outstanding community service at the annual SO WHAT Award Charitable Gala, organized by Summer Owens. The event supports youth scholarships, with proceeds helping provide educational opportunities for students in the community.
DA Mulroy Attends Uplift DNA Summit on Forensic Innovation
 DA Mulroy attended the Uplift DNA Summit this week, where law enforcement officials and forensic scientists from across the country gathered to learn about the latest advancements in DNA crime lab techniques used to support criminal investigations. Attendees also toured an active crime lab and observed demonstrations of forensic testing in action.
DA Mulroy Participates in “Beyond Walls” Criminal Justice Panel Discussion
 DA Mulroy recently spoke on the “Beyond Walls” panel discussion focused on second chances in the criminal justice system. The event was sponsored by the Justice and Safety Alliance and Memphis For All, bringing together community leaders to discuss pathways to rehabilitation, reentry, and public safety.
"...What I’ve told people in my office is just keep doing what you’ve been doing all along. We’ll prosecute cases the way we’ve always prosecuted them. And I’ve been consistent from day one since the Task Force started that we’re going to treat Task Force cases like any other case.” -DA Steve Mulroy |Tennessee Legislature passes two bills aimed at DA Mulroy| via The Daily Memphian
“Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths and it’s especially deadly because people don’t always know when they are ingesting it. Getting this amount off the street is a public safety win, and I congratulate the Drug Task Force Agents on it.” -DA Steve Mulroy |17 1/2 Pounds Of Fentanyl Seized| via Radio NWTN
Mulroy said in a statement he was blessed to know Skahan. “The many heartfelt testimonials I heard at a recent party we threw for him only confirmed that initial favorable impression. His absence will be sorely noted, and his legacy long remembered.” |Former Memphis judge dies| via The Daily Memphian
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