A large-scale, coordinated law enforcement initiative has resulted in hundreds of arrests and federal indictments in Memphis as part of an ongoing effort to reduce violent crime in the city.
The 60-day operation, called the CRIME (Crime Reduction in Memphis) Team, was led by the FBI’s Nashville Field Office – Memphis Resident Agency in coordination with numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to implement a joint strategy targeting gang activity and violent offenders.
Between May 1 and September 12, the CRIME Team initiative produced 489 arrests of individuals identified as violent criminals; 118 firearms seized from violent offenders; 25 search warrants executed; and 131 federal indictments issued, according to the federal law enforcement agency.
— FBI Nashville (@FBI_Nashville) September 25, 2025
Participating agencies included the Memphis Police Department (MPD), Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), District Attorney’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) – along with a number of suburban police and sheriff’s departments.
In a related effort, the FBI this summer also led Operation Viper, a separate federal initiative in Memphis focused on dismantling violent gangs.
That operation resulted in 500 arrests and 100 federal indictments, according to remarks made by U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) during a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
Blackburn credited FBI Director Kash Patel for following through on his commitment to address Memphis’s violent crime problem, saying during the hearing, “When you first came to meet with me… you committed then and again at your confirmation to help us. You have been true to your word, and we are very, very grateful.”
Blackburn further emphasized that the arrests made under Operation Viper primarily targeted gang members and leaders, noting that over 100 gangs operate within Memphis. She also praised the local U.S. Attorney’s Office for its renewed focus on prosecuting violent crimes and federal gun offenses.
“[N]ow we have a U.S. Attorney’s office that will actually prosecute violent crimes and actually take up and prosecute federal gun crimes. This is helping to Make Memphis Safe Again,” Blackburn said.
In addition to the FBI-led enforcement efforts, President Donald Trump announced the creation of the Memphis Safe Task Force during an event at the White House earlier this month.
The new task force will continue the federal-local partnership aimed at reducing crime in Memphis, with the next phase seeing the National Guard deployed to the city.
In 2024, Memphis had the highest violent crime rate in the U.S. with 2,501 incidents per 100,000 residents, according to FBI data.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Police on the Scene” by Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
Oh, but think about all the poor criminals that now have to spend time in jail, How can President Trump be so mean and heartless?