Two Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputies ended up in custody Sunday after Memphis police responded to an aggravated assault call in the 9500 block of Morning Shadow Drive on March 29. Authorities identified the men as 30-year-old Jhyunn Armstrong and 27-year-old Israel Muhammad. Both work for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and have been relieved of duty without pay while investigators and prosecutors review the case.
What police say happened
Memphis police said officers were dispatched to reports of an aggravated assault on Morning Shadow Drive. The investigation that followed ultimately led to the arrests of Armstrong and Muhammad. According to FOX13 Memphis, both deputies were taken into custody and are facing aggravated assault charges.
Shelby County Sheriff's Office statement
The sheriff's office moved quickly to distance the department from the criminal case. "Both deputies have been relieved of duty without pay pending the outcome of the investigation," the agency said in a statement, as reported by FOX13 Memphis. Officials said investigators from multiple agencies are coordinating the inquiry and declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing criminal matter.
Department under scrutiny
The timing is not ideal for the sheriff's office, which remains under intense public scrutiny after several high-profile cases. In connection with the 2022 in-custody death of Gershun Freeman, nine corrections deputies were indicted, according to reporting by CNN. In the wake of those earlier incidents, local activists and elected officials have continued to call for more transparency and accountability from the department.
Legal context
Under Tennessee law, aggravated assault is defined in Tennessee Code Annotated §39-13-102 and can be prosecuted as a felony depending on factors such as intent and the nature of any injuries. Penalties increase when a deadly weapon is involved or when the victim suffers serious bodily injury. The statute and its classifications are outlined in Tennessee General Assembly records.
What's next
Prosecutors will now review the investigative file and decide whether to pursue formal indictments. It was not immediately clear when Armstrong and Muhammad are expected to appear in court. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office said both deputies will remain off duty while the inquiry continues and encouraged anyone with information about the case to contact investigators.
