The Memphis Safe Task Force (MSTF) has reported a sweep of operations that resulted in multiple arrests and confiscation of illegal firearms, as well as the recovery of a missing child. During the overnight maneuvers, authorities executed 33 criminal arrests, seized eight firearms, and safely located a juvenile who had been reported missing. These efforts were part of a broader mission to stem the tide of violent crime in Memphis neighborhoods.
A juvenile was arrested at an apartment complex on the 3100 block of Madewell Avenue after MSTF officers answered a call of shots fired. The juvenile, running from the officers, allegedly discarded a weapon while in pursuit. According to a press release by the U.S. Marshals Service, the seized weapon had been altered with a machine gun conversion device, leading to charges including possession of a prohibited weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon, and tampering with evidence.
Separately, Xavier Tavares Stephens faced arrest on multiple counts. During a traffic stop instigated by a malfunctioning headlight in the 3200 block of South Perkins Road, Stephens consented to a vehicle search. MSTF officers found two firearms and a quantity of marijuana, resulting in charges for unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance.
Continuing their enforcement, MSTF officers encountered Christopher Moore, whose previous escapade included an aggravated kidnapping. Charged with domestic violence and evading arrest, Moore admitted to transferring possession of a sawed-off shotgun to his brother. Following this thread, the task force approached Richard Moore's girlfriend, who ultimately surrendered the weapon to the authorities.
Halin Muhammad, finding himself the subject of a traffic stop for speeding, saw his situation rapidly escalate. Upon refusing to stop, Muhammad led MSTF on a vehicle chase culminating in his arrest on Lady Slipper Lane. "Illegal firearm seizures are central to the Task Force’s strategy," remarked U.S. Marshals Service Chief Inspector Chad Hunt, the commander of MSTF. With two firearms seized from Muhammad's possession, he was charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony and fleeing.
Since its kick-off in September 2025, the MSTF initiative has shown significant results in its operational objectives. The numbers speak to the strategy's efficacy, with 4,392 arrests made and 691 illegal firearms taken out of circulation. Additionally, substantial narcotics hauls and contraband have been intercepted by the task force. The MSTF's multi-agency makeup, including federal, state, local law enforcement, and the Tennessee National Guard, underscores its collaborative nature and its unwavering commitment to apprehend dangerous individuals and enhance public safety across Memphis.
The public continues to play a vital role in this initiative. MSTF encourages community members to stay vigilant and report any information related to wanted fugitives through the USMS Tips application, further cementing the partnership between citizens and law enforcement in the shared pursuit of a safer Memphis.
