MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The U.S. Department of Justice joined the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms & Explosives, FBI, and Memphis Police Tuesday to announce an expansion of an initiative to fight back against violent crime in the city.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the DOJ’s Criminal Division said that violent crime in Memphis is on the rise, and now at a 17-year high in the city.
She said the DOJ is now partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee to expand the Violent Crime Initiative to Memphis. The DOJ said the initiative works with data to drive prosecutions and engage the community in the solutions to fight back against violent crime.
“Together, we will surge the tools and resources we use to investigate and prosecute violent crime nationally and apply those tools to gangs who are harming communities here in Memphis,” said Argentieri.
“Memphis is reeling from violent crime. I know Memphians are sick and tired of gun violence,” said United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee. “I am too … No matter where you live or time of day, you shouldn’t be fearful someone will kill you.”
Here’s how Argentieri said the initiative works:
- The DOJ will bring in resources and expertise to help law enforcement.
- Seven prosecutors from the DOJ Criminal Division will work with U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutors, ATF, FBI, and MPD to target the worst offenders.
- Work will be guided by data, identifying those offenders, and leading to investigations into criminal organizations.
- DOJ to sit down with community members and organizations to address ‘root causes of crime.’
Argentieri said the DOJ will also work with Memphis leaders by providing grants, training, and technical assistance, as well as working with the Reentry Court Program to help those offenders re-entering their communities.
“We know that we cannot arrest our way out of this problem,” said Argentieri.
“Initiatives like this are not about one takedown – they’re about working in partnership to build a long term and sustainable plan to fight gun crime. ATF Memphis does that every day,” said ATF Director Steven M. Dettelbach. “This summer, with the MPD and other state, local, and federal partners, we focused efforts here, using crime gun intelligence to help protect the people of this great city. Now we are here with additional partners both locally and nationally to continue that work -- that impact."
“This violent crime initiative serves as a force multiplier to empower law enforcement, our partners, and communities to proactively fight against violent crime in big cities and small towns across our nation,” said Executive Assistant Director Timothy Langan of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch.
The DOJ said Memphis is the second city to host the Violent Crime Initiative, which was established in Houston, Texas, in September 2022. Argentieri said to date, more than 50 gang members and associates have been prosecuted in that city as part of the focus.
“I know this is a critical time for the City of Memphis and the people who make up this incredible community,” said Argentieri. “Not only is violent crime on the rise, but people’s faith and trust in those tasked with protecting them has been challenged, especially in light of the tragic killing of Tyre Nichols. I know that the department’s Civil Rights Division is working hard here to make assessments of the law enforcement landscape in Memphis as part of its civil ‘pattern or practice’ investigation. We are choosing to be here in this community, at this time, because we care deeply about the safety and well-being of the people who live here and we believe we can help make a difference.”