Latest news with #ShelbyCountyDistrictAttorney'sOffice
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
19-year-old faces car theft charges in Memphis, Nashville
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A 19-year-old accused of crimes in Memphis and Nashville is now being held in jail on a $500,000 bond after detectives say he stopped and waved at them while driving a stolen truck. Bryun Watkins is facing theft of property $60,000-$250,000 and vandalism $1,000-$2,500 charges after Memphis Police say he stole a RAM TRX truck last month. Arrest made in gas station shooting that left 2 injured In court, prosecutors say even though the incident was non-violent, Watkins' extensive juvenile record and continued threat to public safety warranted a high bond amount. According to the Shelby County District Attorney's Office, Watkins also has a pending charge in Nashville relating to a separate car theft involving four other suspects. On May 9, detectives say they saw a stolen white Ram TRX in the area of Hollywood Street and Staten Avenue. That is when the detectives say they parked across the street from the location and watched. Shortly afterward, the driver of the stolen vehicle pulled out of the parking lot and parked directly in front of the detective, blocking them in. The driver then waved at the detectives, whom they immediately recognized as Bryun Watkins. They say they also recognized the juvenile sitting in the front passenger seat. Two unknown individuals were also reported in the backseat. Ex-property management employee charged with burglarizing homes As the detectives called for backup, the driver allegedly sped off in the stolen vehicle that had a broken window on the passenger side and no tag. Detectives say they later found the stolen vehicle unoccupied in the area of Lenow Place and Lenow Park. They say the vehicle's ECM has been reprogrammed, causing the owner's keys to no longer function. Waktins was booked into jail on May 30. He is due back in court on June 20. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man found guilty of raping teen relative
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man has been found guilty of raping his teen relative back in 2020, the Shelby County District Attorney's Office says. On February 27, 2020, 35-year-old Ledarrius Stokes attacked and raped his 15-year-old relative at a local motel just days after the teen's birthday. Prosecutors say that despite the absence of physical evidence and DNA, the victim gave a 'powerful and credible' testimony during the trial. 'This was a difficult case, but our office remains committed to pursuing justice in every case, especially those involving young victims,' said Steve Mulroy, the District Attorney. 'We are pleased with the verdict and proud of the victim's bravery.' Sentencing for the guilty verdict will be set for a later date. Stokes also has two additional pending cases for aggravated assault charges. In March 2020, Stokes was arrested after exchanging gunfire with a female Church's Chicken employee. Police say Stokes had been at the restaurant earlier with his girlfriend, who works there. She called the store and told them he was coming back to shoot up the place, and then came back and locked all of the employees inside. Stokes allegedly fired numerous shots through the drive-thru window at one particular employee, who fired back. She then went out and started shooting in the parking lot. He was charged with aggravated assault, convicted felon in possession of a gun, reckless endangerment, and vandalism in that case. In the Shelby County Criminal Justice System Portal, the suspect's name is spelled two different ways — Ledarrius Stokes and Ladarrius Stokes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
08-04-2025
- Fox News
Tennessee repeat felon charged in Rhodes College student's 2021 murder learns his fate
A repeat felon charged in connection with a Rhodes College student's 2021 murder and home invasion pleaded guilty on Monday and received his prison sentence. Rainess Holmes, now 40, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to serve 100% of a 20-year prison sentence, plus a combined nine years for three separate burglary cases. Holmes, a career criminal with charges dating back to 2005, was one of four men who broke into a Memphis home housing several college students, including 22-year-old senior Andrew "Drew" Rainer, at 5:40 a.m. on Oct. 3, 2021, Shelby County court records state. The surviving residents told Memphis police that four men with hoodies drawn over their faces kicked in their door and demanded the students' electronics. "Andrew Rainer was told to type in the pass code to his iPad and when he failed to do so was shot," the arrest affidavit states. The suspects left the home with "several phones, gaming systems, video games" and other electronics belonging to the victims, police said. When Memphis police arrived at the scene, they found Rainer dead with a gunshot wound at the bottom of a staircase inside the home. One of the residents of the home was able to track his iPad's location to a hotel, where authorities were able to establish a perimeter and eventually track down Holmes, but he fled the area, "jumped a drainage ditch and escaped the area." He was briefly placed on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Most Wanted list and was detained two days later on Oct. 5. The Shelby County District Attorney's Office said in a Monday statement that it "worked very closely" with Rainer's family "throughout the process." "They were present in court and supportive of the outcome," the DA's office said. Holmes was not the suspect who fatally shot Rainer. Memphis police are still searching for the other three suspects involved in the home invasion and murder. Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to any additional arrests in the case. "One arrest has been made relative to this homicide," Major Webb Kirkdoffer of the Memphis Police Department's Homicide Bureau said in a statement. "However, investigators still need the public's help identifying additional individuals who are responsible for Rainer's murder." A memorial fund created in Rainer's name called "Live Like Drew" says he "loved with great intensity, and showed enormous courage and self-sacrifice." He was also an accomplished musician who played in an 80s rock band, an avid reader, an Eagle Scout, and a devoted member of the Catholic Church, according to his obituary. "Drew was a loving son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend. He was a kind, cheerful, intelligent and outgoing young man, who was loved by his friends," his obituary said.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged in Rhodes College student's 2021 killing, home invasion enters plea deal
A man accused of taking part in the 2021 home invasion in which another suspect killed Rhodes College student Drew Rainer pleaded guilty Monday, April 7, the Shelby County District Attorney's Office said. Rainess Holmes III was indicted in February 2022. He was charged with multiple felonies including first-degree murder, murder in the perpetration of a robbery, especially aggravated robbery, especially aggravated burglary, especially aggravated kidnapping, four counts of aggravated robbery and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun. Holmes pleaded guilty to second degree murder as it related to Rainer's killing. He also pleaded guilty to three other aggravated burglary cases. He was sentenced to 20 years, of which he has to serve the entire sentence. Four people, including Holmes, were said to have broken into the home Rainer was in. Holmes, the DA's office said in an email statement, was not the intruder who shot Rainer. He received three-year sentences for each of the three aggravated burglary cases, which will be served at the same time as his murder sentence, the DA's office said. "We are eternally grateful for the gift of Drew's life," the family said in a statement sent to media outlets Monday. "Drew changed the lives of all who knew and loved him. May God use our overwhelming sorrow for his glory. No sentence imposed by a court will bring Drew back, and our family will never be complete. We are, however, satisfied with the legal resolution of this case." More: After he was shot, Rhodes student's actions saved others, family member says Rainer, a 22-year-old student, was killed in the early hours of Oct. 3, 2021, during a home invasion near Rhodes College. He was shot in the chest as he was trying to protect another student. That student, identified as his girlfriend by his family, was shot in the hand. Five people, including Rainer and his girlfriend, were in the house on North McLean Boulevard when Holmes and others broke in, officials said. The intruders demanded electronics and other valuables. A stolen iPad was later tracked to the Summer Inn, on Summer Avenue. Holmes had checked into that room, according to officials, and escaped by running into a drainage ditch. He was later arrested at a residence in Binghampton. Lucas Finton covers crime, policing, jails, the courts and criminal justice policy for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached by phone or email: (901) 208-3922 and and followed on X @LucasFinton. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Man charged in Rhodes College student Drew Rainer's death pleads guilty
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Yahoo
Tennessee man, self-proclaimed 'serial killer,' sentenced to 261 years in 5 separate murders
A Memphis man, who referred to himself as a "serial killer" during his trial, has been sentenced to an additional 159 years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of first-degree murder on Valentine's Day. His sentence is to be served consecutively to his prior conviction of two counts of first-degree murder, resulting in life sentences totaling 102 years. Combined, he is facing 261 years in prison for five murders. Joshua Dotson, the self-professed killer, was convicted in 2020 of killing his former girlfriend, Jamesha Covson, and their unborn child in August 2024. After Covson's death, Dotson wrote "fly high." on social media in memory of her, while calling her a "sex worker" in court and claiming she was aware of his previous murders, which he argued was his motive for killing her. Tennessee High School Shooting: 1 Killed, 1 Wounded, Teen Gunman Dead Of Self-inflicted Gunshot: Police Following the first sentencing, the Shelby County District Attorney's Office said in a statement that they hoped the punishment brought some justice for the mother and child. Read On The Fox News App "Today's sentencing brings a measure of justice for Jamesha Covson and her unborn child," a spokesperson for the Shelby County District Attorney's Office said. "The court's decision affirms that those who commit acts of violence with such disregard for human life will be held accountable. Our hearts are with the family and friends of Jamesha Covson, and we hope this sentence brings them some peace as they continue to grieve this profound loss." 2 Suspects, Including Victim's Husband, Charged In Stabbing Death Of Fort Campbell Soldier In Tennessee Dotson took an unorthodox approach during the trial, often testifying in his own defense and referring to himself as a "serial killer." He also likened himself to "Michael Myers," a fictional murderer. Dotson eventually went on to claim responsibility for three additional murders between 2019 and 2020. Dotson pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of Divieon Parker, two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Renita Bennett and Reginald Anderson, and three counts of reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon. "After five years, we are pleased to finally have justice for Dotson's multiple victims. His sentences, both from the guilty verdict after a trial and these two pleas today, amount to 261 years in prison. While no amount of time in prison will bring the victims back to their loved ones, we are content that he will never be a threat to our community again," Prosecutor Regina Lucreziano article source: Tennessee man, self-proclaimed 'serial killer,' sentenced to 261 years in 5 separate murders
