In a sweeping crackdown aimed at reducing crime in Memphis, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has confirmed that 60 individuals were arrested on Thursday by the Memphis Safe Task Force, as Action News 5 reported. This latest operation also led to the seizure of 21 illegal firearms. Among those detained is a suspect accused of raping a child under 13, a detail that highlights the serious nature of some offenses being targeted.
Since its inception on Monday, the Memphis Safe Task Force has apprehended more than 150 individuals and recovered 48 guns, in addition to locating five missing children, according to a post by Bondi on social media platform X. Formerly known as Twitter, the platform featured Bondi's update which included arrests of five gang members and the capturing of a member from the Tren de Aragua terrorist organization, as documented by Local Memphis. The number of guns seized was initially 18 on Tuesday, an increase from just two firearms the day before.
Details of the operation have been steadily shared with the public. Officials from the White House addressed Memphis Safe Task Force officials inside the Shelby County Operations Center on Wednesday, while Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee asserted that the ongoing deployments to the city are part of a "phased approach," set to continue over the forthcoming weeks and months. Furthermore, Gov. Lee announced a substantial state grant, allocating $100 million geared toward crime reduction in Memphis, although specifics of the grant spending are pending. These remarks, including Gov. Lee's optimism for Memphis' future with crime becoming "a story of the past," were conveyed to attendees at a press conference, as reported by Local Memphis.
The interagency effort of the Memphis Safe Task Force comprises members from 13 state and federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, ATF, and DEA. Although the campaign seems to be bearing fruit, the Department of Justice has declined to clarify whether the arrests were for violent or lower-level offenses. After the Tren de Aragua arrest was announced, WREG reached out to the Department of Justice for more details regarding the case, but Bondi "did not provide a name or arrest details for the alleged Tren de Aragua member," as WREG reported.
In the melee of law enforcement activity, Bondi issued a stern warning emphasizing the protection of officers: "Anyone who touches law enforcement officers will be arrested," she resolved, underscoring the administration’s commitment to ensuring public safety. This sentiment mirrors that of Pete Hegseth, who shared in a previous conference that President Donald Trump is closely monitoring the developments in Memphis, attuned to the well-being of its residents.
