One of the most vocal speakers in the recent Black Lives Matters protests, finds himself behind bars. Devante Hill is in the Shelby County jail on a warrant for filing a false police report. Hill turned himself in around noon Thursday after learning about the warrants.
Hill was booked into the jail just before noon Thursday. Earlier the same day before the arrest, we learned Hill had warrants through Shelby County, which included filing a false report.
According to police records, on March 31, 2013, Hill reported his room at a boarding house was burglarized and an Apple laptop was missing.
Three years later on March 26, 2016, police say Hill reported he located his laptop, with another person logged on. Investigators say they interviewed a relative of that person, who told them he bought the laptop from a man matching Hill’s description in December 2012.
Police say the person provided cell records for the transaction that matched Hill’s number, and identified Hill from a photo lineup.
From speaking to protesters at Sunday’s downtown rally, to being front and center at Monday afternoon’s community meeting, Hill has been all over the news.
Those involved in the Black Lives Matter movement didn’t want to talk about it at an unrelated news conference Thursday.
“We don’t have any intentions of any ill will against anyone,” says community activist Joseph Kyles. “We want to make sure that individuals and those in the media and public not anoint one leader.”
Rev. Kia Granberry-Moore says, “We’ve all agreed collectively because we stand in solidarity, even though we are not connected, not to speak on that.”
Hill’s bond was set at $7,500.
“We’re sick and tired,” said Hill this week. “Memphis makes up 63% of the population. There is no reason in hell why the majority of those people are in 201 Poplar.”
Now the man who has been so vocal, finds himself there. There was also a second warrant connected to driving on a suspended license, but that was tossed out.
