Memphis Man Sentenced to Almost 3 Years in Prison for Attempted Assault on Memphis Safe Task Force Officer

Memphis, TN - Courtney Richardson, 36, was sentenced to 34 months in prison for attempting to hit a federal agent with his vehicle. D. Michael Dunavant, of the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 5, 2025, law enforcement officers and agents on the Memphis Safe Task Force attempted to execute an arrest warrant on Richardson at the Waterford Place Apartments in Memphis when Richardson got into his vehicle and drove toward the exit of the apartment complex. Multiple officers and agents in marked and unmarked units with lights and sirens activated attempted to block Richardson's exit. Richardson drove through the parking lot, refusing to stop for law enforcement.

Richardson drove his vehicle up onto the curb and drove through the lawn between the road and buildings where an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) pursued Richardson on foot. Richardson then accelerated his vehicle towards the ATF agent, causing the agent to jump out of the way to avoid being hit by Richardson's vehicle. The agent did not sustain any injuries. Richardson continued to drive through the parking lot and crashed into multiple vehicles before he was ultimately arrested.

Richardson was charged with one count of violating 18 U.S.C. § 111, which provides that, "Whoever forcibly assaults, resists, opposes, impedes, intimidates, or interferes with any person designated as an officer or employee of the United States while engaged in or on account of the performance of official duties," commits a federal offense.

On June 24, 2026, Chief United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Richardson to 34 months of federal imprisonment to be followed by two years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "We take all threats against law enforcement very seriously and will impose real consequences for any violence against those who are working to protect us every day. During the MSTF Operation and every day, we urge anyone who encounters a law enforcement officer to comply first, and, if warranted, complain later. If you threaten, endanger, or assault any law enforcement officer, we will come after you."

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Assistant United States Attorney Regina Brittenum prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States government.

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