2+ week, 6+ day ago (88+ words) MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The Memphis Safe Task Force has cleared more than 1,000 Memphis warrants in the first 41 days of operations, the task force said. The warrants include 203 firearms warrants and 264 narcotics warrants, according to the MSTF. The task force has made 2,342 arrests of individuals on various charges. The MSTF also found 101 missing children during operations. Action News 5 asked for more information about where the children were found and the circumstances of their disappearance but has not received a response....

3+ week, 4+ day ago (153+ words) MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A man wanted for a crime that occurred 13 years ago has been arrested by the Memphis Safe Task Force. U.S. Marshals announced 34-year-old Diego Armando Redonda Mendiola was apprehended early Tuesday morning in the area of Mendenhall and Shelby Drive after an arrest warrant was executed. Mendiola was wanted for multiple felony charges, including attempted first-degree murder, possession of firearm with intent to commit a felony, two counts of reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon and for being the United States illegally. Marshals say Mendiola is a member of the Surenos 13 gang and had been arrested before and deported back to Mexico. As of November 4, the Memphis Safe Task Force has made 2,040 arrests. Here's a breakdown provided by U.S. Marshals: Action News 5 has asked U.S. Marshals for more details surrounding the 2012 crime Mendiola was wanted for....

1+ week, 5+ day ago (171+ words) MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A Memphis woman is now convicted of stealing more than half a million dollars from two federal programs designed to help those who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal prosecutors say that on October 6, 37-year-old Deashley Tabor pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to making false claims against the United States Government. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee reports that in the pandemic's first year, Tabor and a co-conspirator filed fraudulent applications for unemployment benefits in over 27 states, defrauding the federal unemployment relief program of over $560,000. The duo also cheated the federally-funded Tennessee Emergency Cash Assistance (ECA) program of approximately $15,000 by creating fake termination notices for themselves and others. The ECA program was established to support families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to job loss. Tabor faces up…...

2+ week, 2+ day ago (105+ words) MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Action News 5s Digital Desk sat down with Allison Tolman and Mekki Leeper, stars of NBCs hit comedy St. Denis Medical, for a fun conversation about the shows new season. The mockumentary follows an overworked Oregon hospital where dedicated staff juggle patients, chaos, and their own sanity. Season two raises the stakes after a major donation shakes up the workplace. Tolman and Leeper shared what fans can expect in upcoming episodes, including fresh storylines and standout guest stars. You can catch St. Denis Medical Mondays at 8 p.m. on WMC, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock....

2+ week, 5+ day ago (177+ words) The broadcast schedule is as follows: In Memphis, Gray will broadcast the games free, over-the-air on WMC-TV, Action News Five channel 5 and simulcast on Midsouth Sports and Entertainment Network, channel 5.3. In Nashville, Gray will broadcast the games free, over-the-air on WSMV-TV, channel 4.1 and simulcast on the Tennessee Valley Sports and Entertainment Network, channel 4.2. In Knoxville, Gray will broadcast the games free, over-the-air on WBXX, Knoxville's CW, channel 20.1 and MyVLT, MyNetworkTV, channel 8.2. Channel locations for Jonesboro, AR, Bowling Green, KY, and Tupelo, MS will be announced at a later date. Coverage in Tupelo, MS will be provided by television stations owned by Allen Media Group. "We are excited to expand our partnership with Gray Media this season and bring seven Grizzlies games free over-the-air to even more fans across six markets in four states," said Grizzlies President Jason Wexler. "We are…...

2+ week, 6+ day ago (210+ words) MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A known gang member has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in March, authorities announced. The Memphis Safe Task Force apprehended 19-year-old Demarius Chalmers on November 7. Chalmers is identified by U.S. Marshals as a member of the Crips gang. The arrest took place during the execution of a search warrant in the 2800 block of Vayu Drive. The incident dates back to March 2, when Memphis police were called to Wellons Avenue following reports of a shooting. Officers discovered Tranesha Smith in a carport doorway, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Smith was transported to a hospital but later died. Smith's family members identified Demarius Chalmers as the individual responsible for her death. During questioning, Chalmers told investigators that the shooting was accidental, occurring as he attempted to move his firearm from a kitchen…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago (386+ words) LAKE COUNTY, Tenn. (WMC) - During a grand jury hearing Monday afternoon in Lake County, a group of county citizens met in secret to decide if there is enough evidence to prosecute Austin Drummond's case. Drummond is charged with the death of four family members and the kidnapping of a child who was found in Dyer County on the side of the road. Phil Harvey, a Memphis criminal defense attorney, said the proceedings are held in private and the suspect is usually not present. He said the grand jury is a tool used by the prosecution where a body of 12 to 14 county citizens meet in secret to decide if there is enough to prosecute the case. This is done without input from the defense or the defendant, according to Harvey. "While the grand jury meets in secret today, we would look…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago (215+ words) COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. (WMC) - St. George's Independent School says multiple students have been expelled following a report of sexual assault. The St. George's Board of Trustees said in a letter to the community that the school received a report on November 5 of the assault, which happened in early October in the athletic building after school had dismissed. The Collierville Police Department confirms it is investigating the incident, but that no charges have been filed. In addition to the expulsions, Head of School Luke Pruett is on administrative leave while the board of trustees investigates. It's unclear what, if any, connection Pruett may have had to the assault. "The Board will conduct a comprehensive review of all related policies and practices and take whatever actions are necessary to strengthen the safety of our students and the integrity of our St. George's culture,…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (257+ words) CRITTENDEN CO., Ark. (WMC) - All lanes of the Interstate 55 (I-55) Mississippi River Bridge will be closed over the weekend, according to the Arkansas Department of Transportation. Lanes will be closed on Saturday, Nov. 15, and Sunday, Nov. 16. Crews will repair the bridge's finger joints, which are large bridge joints made out of metal interlacing "fingers" that allow for the expansion and contraction necessary for longer bridge spans. If the weather permits, I-55 will close at Exit 1 (Bridgeport Road) in Arkansas. Before the closure, I-55 will be reduced to one lane at Exit 4 (Martin Luther King Jr. Drive/Highway 38). The closure will continue to Exit 12 (Crump Boulevard/Riverside Drive) in Tennessee. The southbound lanes of I-55 will reopen Sunday evening, while the northbound lanes remain closed until Tuesday. Northbound traffic will continue to use the detour during this time frame. A signed detour will be in…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago (128+ words) MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Multiple law enforcement agencies are gathered at Wolfchase Galleria in Cordova. Action News 5 has crews at the scene, where witnesses report hearing three to five gunshots inside the mall before being evacuated. A spokesperson for the Memphis Police Department says that this was an isolated incident and not an active shooter event. MPD has yet to confirm whether or not anyone was shot. The scene is currently secured. The department spokesperson says further updates are coming soon. Wolfchase remains on lockdown as of 3 p.m. Monday. Numerous Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers, Shelby County sheriff's deputies and Memphis police officers are outside the mall near the Macy's entrance. This is a developing story that will be updated when more details become available....