Eleven Defendants Charged with Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding Federal Law Enforcement Officers during Memphis Safe Task Force Operation

Memphis, TN – During the Memphis Safe Task Force (MSTF) operation, the United States Attorney’s Office announces that the following defendants have been charged with violating 18 United States Code Section 111 (18 U.S.C. § 111) which provides, “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 an offense.  All suspects were charged by federal criminal complaints filed in the United States Magistrate Court in the Western District of Tennessee.

• Luis Cordova, 26 - On October 1, 2025, Luis Cordova was pulled over for running a red light.   When it was determined that Cordova did not have a valid driver’s license and could not produce documentation that he was in the United States legally, a Deputy U.S. Marshal began to handcuff him when Cordova pulled back and attempted to run away. A criminal complaint for 18 U.S.C. § 111 was filed, and the case has since been indicted on October 30, 2025, for resisting, opposing, impeding, or interfering with a federal officer.
• Demario Burton, 21 - On October 3, 2025, Demarion Burton was pulled over for driving with no headlights. A Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Officer, sworn in as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force operation, had Burton step out and frisked him, finding suspected drugs on Burton’s person. The trooper began to arrest Burton, but Burton fled. A criminal complaint for 18 U.S.C. § 111 was issued, and the case has since been indicted on October 30, 2025 for resisting, opposing, impeding, or interfering with a federal officer.
• Montavious Neal, 27 - On October 6, 2025, a Memphis Police Department officer sworn in as a Special Deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force operation saw Montavious Neal driving a car that had window tint below the legal limit of 70%.  Neal pulled into a parking lot, then put his car in reverse, hit the accelerator, and struck the police car in the front bumper three separate times. The officer was either still in his car or attempting to get out of his car at the time Neal was striking the vehicle.  Two firearms were later found in plain view in the car.  Neal was indicted for assault on a federal officer under 18 U.S.C. § 111 and has been detained.
• Luis Gonzalez, 28 - On October 23, 2025, MSTF officers conducted a traffic stop on Gonzalez for having a fraudulent temporary tag.  Gonzalez pulled over but sped off as officers approached. One officer exited his vehicle and attempted to deploy a stop strip to disable the fleeing vehicle, but Gonzalez swerved to avoid hitting the strip, almost hitting the officer in the process.  A 5-year-old child and a pregnant woman were also passengers in Gonzalez’ car. The defendant is currently in federal detention for assault on a federal officer under 18 U.S.C. § 111.
• Jesus Escobar-Villalta, 30 - On October 29, 2025, THP stopped a vehicle for traffic violations.  Escobar-Villalta provided a fraudulent Honduras identification and was in the United States illegally. Escobar-Villalta refused to get out of his car and resisted. He grabbed the holstered and loaded firearm of an FBI Special Agent, attempting to pull the firearm out of the holster.  Escobar-Villalta also bit the thigh of a USMS deputy who was assisting.  Escobar-Villalta was charged with assault of a federal officer under 18 U.S.C. § 111 and was detained after a detention hearing.
• Christopher Vanzant, 53 - On November 2, 2025, a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer saw a truck being driven by Vanzant and believed to be running from Hernando, Mississippi.  After verifying the license plate, THP tried to stop the truck, using blue lights and sirens. Vanzant began driving at a high rate of speed in residential neighborhoods, striking a fence. Vanzant’s speed, failure to signal turns, driving in the opposite lane and swerving endangered other drivers, pedestrians, and federally deputized THP officers.  Vanzant struck a THP car in the process. Vanzant physically resisted the Troopers, while also attempting to use a lighter to smoke what appeared to be methamphetamine through a clear glass pipe. Vanzant struck a THP officer in the temple with a closed fist. Vanzant was charged with assault on a federal officer under 18 U.S.C. § 111.  Vanzant’s detention hearing is pending in the United States Magistrate Court.
• Sanchon Dillup-Jones, 36 - On November 4, 2025, THP officers observed car driving recklessly at a strip mall where pedestrians were present.  The driver was identified as Sanchon Dillup-Jones. Dillup-Jones refused to exit the car, and when the trooper attempted to open the driver’s door, Dillup-Jones rolled up the window and put the car in drive. The trooper reached in the window to put the car in park. Dillup-Jones drove away with the trooper’s body leaned inside the car, dragging the trooper approximately 50-60 feet before he could dislodge himself. Dillup-Jones is charged with assault on a federal officer under 18 U.S.C. § 111.
• Nicomedes Jimenez, 37 - On November 4, 2025, the Memphis Police Department (MPD) and Fayette County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a car driven by Jimenez. Jimenez had two active warrants - one from May 2022 for aggravated assault and one from April 2022 for two counts of domestic assault. Jimenez refused to stop and accelerated, evading law enforcement for approximately 20 miles traveling at high speeds. Jimenez caused a civilian to lose control of their vehicle, continued to drive recklessly, losing control of his car and crashing into a barricade. A task force officer exited his car and Jimenez drove toward it, striking the door and rendering the car inoperable. The officer narrowly escaped being hit by jumping back into his police car just before the crash. A detention hearing is still pending for assault of a federal officer under 18 U.S.C. § 111.
• Justin Hardaway, 26 - On November 6, 2025, MPD tried to make a traffic stop for a car with no license plate or rear bumper being driven by Hardaway. Hardaway fled at a high rate of speed, intentionally striking a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) vehicle three times.  Hardaway exited his car while it was still in motion and attempted to flee. The driverless vehicle almost struck approximately 20 children who were exiting a school bus and did strike a house before stopping. After a brief foot pursuit, Hardaway was taken into custody. Hardaway has not had an initial appearance yet on the charge of assault of a federal officer under 18 U.S.C. § 111.
• Khauleel Harrison, 22 - On November 7, 2025, THP and HSI were on Interstate 40 in pursuit of a car driven by Khauleel Harrison who was drag racing on I-40 East. Harrison reached speeds of 90-100 mph during the chase and weaved through traffic. Harrison exited the highway and made several illegal U-turns.  Harrison turned towards the Tennessee Highway Patrol car, accelerated, and struck the patrol car head on. Harrison’s car was disabled after the head-on collision.  Harrison is charged with assault a federal officer under 18 U.S.C. § 111.
• Shone Pugh, 24 - On November 12, 2025, Shone Pugh assaulted a U.S. Marshal during a traffic stop. Pugh was the passenger of a car stopped for running a red light.  The U.S. Marshal asked Pugh to get out of the car. Pugh shoved the U.S. Marshal and tried to flee, throwing the U.S. Marshal to the ground.  Near the area of the struggle, law enforcement located a pistol engraved with a Kansas City Police Department badge logo that was reported stolen.  Pugh is charged with assault of a federal officer under 18 U.S.C. § 111.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "We take all threats against law enforcement very seriously, and we have zero tolerance for any assault on federal officers. There is no constitutional right to resist arrest, and doing so endangers everyone involved. During the MSTF Operation and every day, we urge anyone who encounters a law enforcement officer to comply first, and, if warranted, complain later. We will enforce Attorney General Pam Bondi’s warning: ‘If you touch any law enforcement officer, we will come after you'."

The charges and allegations contained in the criminal complaints are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.

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For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.