Weekend Sees 3 More Arrested for Murders and 2 More for Violent Sex Crimes Among the 87 Overall Arrests

Memphis, TN – The Memphis Safe Task Force arrested a number of violent criminals over the weekend to include three wanted for various charges of murder and another two wanted for violent sex crimes. Overall, 87 criminal arrests were made and 15 illegally possessed firearms were seized.

Travis Richardson, 21, a suspect in an April 16 homicide, was arrested in the 5900 block of Little Brook Circle North. Officers recovered a Glock 22 .40-caliber handgun from Richardson’s backpack. 

Charez Black, 19, a suspect in a July 25, 2025, homicide at an apartment in the 200 block of Bickford Avenue, was arrested on a first-degree murder warrant in the 1600 block of Gowen Drive, where he was taken into custody without incident. 

A 17-year-old juvenile, a second suspect in the Bickford homicide, was arrested without incident in the 640 block of Northaven Drive on a first-degree murder warrant. 

Jaylon Shaw, 19, was arrested in the 2800 block of Bartlett Blvd, in Bartlett, on charges of Rape of a Child. He was wanted on an outstanding warrant on both a state and local violation. To protect the juvenile victim, MSTF will not release further information on the alleged crime.

Cedric Jackson, 47, was arrested Friday in the 1400 block of Latham Street on a warrant issued by Shelby County for rape. Officers observed a partially nude male, Jackson, in public and conducted a welfare check. Task Force members conducted a criminal history check which returned an active warrant for his arrest. The officers detained the suspect and arrested him on the warrant issued by Shelby County for rape.

Since the launch of the Memphis Safe Task Force initiative, officers have made 8,333 arrests, including 57 for homicide, 918 for controlled substances, 752 for firearms violations, and 104 for sex offenses. Of those arrested, 238 were juveniles and 875 were known gang members. The task force has seized 1,370 illegal firearms. These enforcement actions reflect a sustained commitment to reducing violent crime and removing dangerous weapons from Memphis neighborhoods. 

The Memphis Safe Task Force (MSTF), a multi-agency initiative, was organized in September 2025 to combat violent crime in Memphis. It is composed of federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as the Tennessee National Guard, and focuses on arresting violent criminals, clearing warrants, seizing firearms, and locating missing children. Since the operation began, the MSTF has located 150 missing children.

This operation reflects the MSTF’s commitment to coordinated enforcement efforts and its mission to identify, apprehend, and hold accountable those who pose a threat to public safety.

Anyone with information about wanted fugitives is encouraged to submit it via the USMS Tips app.