MSTF August Wrap-Up: 853 Arrested, 118 Guns Seized, 13 Children Recovered

Memphis, TN - The Memphis Safe Task Force (MSTF) in August executed 853 arrests and recovered 118 illegal firearms. Of those arrested, 14 were for homicide, 50 were for controlled substances, 74 were for firearms violations, 11 for sex offenses 50 were juveniles and 122 were known gang members. The task force recovered 13 missing children.

Significant arrests include:

Aaron Collins, 49, arrested Aug. 25 for second-degree murder and tampering with evidence after MSTF, canvassing the area in connection with a fatal stabbing incident in the 200 block of North Main Street, located Collins near Beale Street and Fourth Street and arrested him without incident.

Four juveniles were arrested Aug. 25 for unlawful possession of a firearm and evading arrest after MSTF responded to a call regarding armed juveniles making threats to shoot. When MSTF stopped a Nissan Altima in the 4900 block of Willow Lane, four juveniles fled the vehicle on foot. All four juveniles were apprehended. Five firearms were recovered.

Three men -- Andre Evans, 47, Drevious Ward, 18, and Leandre Harris, 28 -- were arrested Aug. 13 without incident and charged with manufacture, delivery, and sale of controlled substances after MSTF executed a search warrant at a house in the 400 block of Laclede Avenue. Agents recovered 30.6 grams of marijuana, 78 packs of buprenorphine, 3,750 grams of promethazine, 522 pills of oxycodone, hydrochloride, 132 pills of alprazolam and 72 pills of amphetamine dextroamphetamine, $31,000 in cash, and weapons, including two 9mm pistols, a .40-caliber pistol, a .380 pistol and ammunition.

Evans was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Ward and Harris were also charged with unlawful possession of narcotics.

Darseantese Dean, 27, was arrested Aug. 12 for a murder and an attempted murder warrant issued on July 13 out of Mississippi. After MSTF received information that was in the Memphis area, they located him in the driveway of a house in the 3500 block of Serenade Lane. During the arrest, MSTF members searched the vehicle and collected two 7.62 magazines and a high-capacity drum magazine for evidence.

Tho Ho, 55, who was indicted July 30 in Shelby County on charges of rape of a child, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and aggravated battery, was arrested Aug. 12 in the 7300 block of North 68th Avenue in Glendale, Arizona. After MSTF members developed information Tuesday that Ho had fled to Arizona, they sent a collateral lead to the U.S. Marshals in the District of Arizona who located him and arrested him without incident. Both of his cellular devices were collected as evidence.

Joseph Harris, 37, wanted on a Shelby County homicide warrant, was arrested without incident Aug. 7 in the 6500 block of Lurewood Lane in Oklahoma City after MSTF investigators learned he was in that area and sent a lead to the U.S. Marshals Western Oklahoma Fugitive Task Force. Harris and Ashundra Lee were suspects who shot and killed a motorcyclist near the intersection of Wilson Street and Gill Avenue July 21. Lee was arrested Thursday in Oklahoma City.

Amarion Threlkeld, 18, wanted for criminal attempt second-degree murder, was taken into custody Aug. 7 at Poplar Avenue and North Danny Thomas Boulevard after MSTF spoke with Threlkeld and family members to coordinate a time and place for him to turn himself in. Additional charges include five counts of criminal attempt employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.

Christopher Warf, 52, wanted for rape of a child, was arrested Aug. 7 during a traffic stop in the 7000 block of Rick’s Road in Arlington by MSTF members via a collateral lead sent from U.S. Marshals in Nashville.

“The Memphis Safe Task Force remains committed to its mission to protect the citizens of Memphis by arresting and holding accountable those who pose a threat to public safety,” said U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Tennessee Tyreece Miller. “Every arrest made and every gun recovered contributes to that mission. I commend the men and women who have dedicated themselves to this endeavor and who are making a difference in the lives of this community.”

The Memphis Safe Task Force is a multi-agency initiative established via a Presidential Memorandum signed by President Donald Trump on Sept. 15, 2025. Aimed at addressing violent street crime, the task force coordinates federal, state, and local law enforcement and includes mobilized members of the Tennessee National Guard. The MSTF is focused on arresting violent criminals, clearing warrants, seizing firearms, and locating missing children. Since the operation began, the MSTF has located 186 missing children.