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Shelby Farms murder under investigation, man pleads guilty to defrauding FedEx
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Shelby Farms murder under investigation, man pleads guilty to defrauding FedEx

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Monday afternoon was full of public safety news. The afternoon began with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office providing updates drug gang raidthe status of two murder investigations and the status of a deputy involved in an accident.

Monday also saw a man plead guilty to defrauding FedEx of more than $750,000 in a three-year mail fraud scheme.

Here’s what’s on the agenda during the week of October 28:

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office seeks additional witnesses in Shelby Farms shooting

Investigators need more witnesses in the fatal shooting of Ellie Young following a cancer walk at Shelby Farms Park on Oct. 19, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy Anthony Buckner said Monday.

Although Young’s ex-boyfriend, Jackson Hopper, was arrested and charged with murder, Buckner said investigators need additional information.

“While we have a suspect in custody, we are still seeking assistance from the public regarding witness information,” Buckner said at a news conference. “If anyone heard or saw anything at Shelby Farms that day, we’re asking them to contact our detectives at (901) 379-7625. Our detectives really, really, really need eyewitness information so they can try to insert or include that information.” We can continue the case.”

Hopper, 26, was charged with first-degree murder in Young’s killing. Bail has not yet been set.

Young was found on the ground near his Jeep Wrangler with “multiple gunshot wounds,” according to a police affidavit. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Witnesses stated they observed the victim parking in a parking spot on the lot,” the affidavit states. “A white Honda CRV with temporary tag Kentucky had pulled up behind the victim’s Jeep. The male white driver of the Honda CRV fired two shots into the rear of the Jeep in which the victim was located. The victim exited the Jeep Wrangler and the male suspect approached the victim, who was lying on the ground, at least “He fired another shot, the suspect then got back into the white Honda and left the scene.”

The family told sheriff’s deputies that Young and Hopper had recently separated, according to the affidavit.

Hopper was arrested by the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office following a pursuit in Mason, Tennessee.

Florida man pleads guilty in three-year FedEx mail fraud scheme

Shaun Kavanaugh, 46, pleaded guilty Monday to the mail fraud scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee said in a press release.

According to prosecutors, Kavanaugh “fraudulently obtained over $750,000” by sending packages containing “worthless goods” via FedEx. He would then claim that the packages were not delivered and submit requests to FedEx for a refund for the contents of the packages by sending fake invoices with a higher value for the contents of the packages.

“Mr. Kavanaugh’s case is a reminder that fraud and the pursuit of quick gains can have serious consequences,” Inspector-in-Charge Tommy D. Coke of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said in a press release. “I am proud of the men and women of the United States Postal Inspection Service for their continued dedication to protecting US Mail and our customers, as well as their determination to ensure that those who engage in fraudulent activities are held accountable for their activities.”

Kavanaugh faces up to 20 years in federal prison and could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution of up to $764,250. His sentence will be determined on February 20.

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Latest situation on the biggest cases in Memphis

In a rapid turn of events Monday morning, a case that brought international attention to Shelby County came to an end. More than two years after she was arrested and charged with the kidnapping and murder of Memphis teacher Eliza Fletcher, Cleotha Abston pleaded guilty.

Abston pleaded guilty to charges of particularly aggravated kidnapping and first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Memphis Grizzlies Star Ja Morant’s civil case remains unclear as new lawyers prepare for a second self-defense hearing for the teenager who was punched by Morant during a basketball game in July 2022.

New attorneys for Joshua Holloway, the teenager who sued Morant, filed a motion requesting discovery on Oct. 24. Holloway’s new attorneys did not receive a full discovery brief from his past attorneys and Morant’s attorneys, according to emails attached to the motion. He declined to provide discovery “because the source of each item requested in your letter was either Mr. Holloway or a third party to whom Mr. Holloway had the same access as or better access than our clients.”

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