In a recent turn of events, Vanessa Murtaugh, a former chair of the Tennessee Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board, admitted guilt to charges of aggravated statutory rape. According to Action News 5, Murtaugh accepted a plea deal that forgoes a prison sentence in exchange for four years of supervised probation and registration as a sex offender for 14 years. Once tasked with overseeing good behavior credits for Tennessee inmates, Murtaugh's new reality starkly contrasts her former role in corrections oversight.
District Attorney Frederick Agee, involved in the prosecution, stated that justice was pursued fairly by following the wishes of the victim's family. "In all cases, we try to administer justice fairly, and in this case, we did exactly what the victim's family asked us to do," said DA Agee in a statement obtained by FOX13 Memphis. Additionally, given the oversight of the sex offender registry, Murtaugh's living arrangement and employment opportunities will be closely monitored and restricted for the duration of her registration.
Murtaugh, before her resignation, was charged with using her professional authority to foster trust with minor, coercing sexual acts from the 17-year-old victim. This egregious misuse of power ultimately led to her arrest and subsequent booking into Shelby County Jail in early March with a $50,000 bond. The Tennessee legislature had established the Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board in response to a high-profile early prison release resulting in tragedy, a board Murtaugh once guided but has now disgracefully departed from.
As part of her sentence, Murtaugh is mandated to complete state-certified alcohol, drug, and psycho-sexual assessments. Per Agee, she employed her legal, professional, or occupational status for coercing a minor into sexual acts, taking advantage of her position's inherent trust, according to a Commercial Appeal report. Following the four-year diversion period, she may apply to expunge her record, albeit her stigma as a registered sex offender will persist for an additional decade.
The office of Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, citing potential conflicts, stepped back from the case, leaving the DA for Crockett, Haywood, and Gibson Counties, Frederick Agee, at the helm. Murtaugh's past connection to the DA's office added another layer to the complex proceedings. After her indictment, she swiftly resigned, with her resignation e-mail becoming public record via Lt. Gov. Randy McNally’s Director of Communications Adam Kleinheider.
