MPD Operation Leads to Arrest of Identified Gang Members, Seizure of Illegal Guns and Narcotics

Dangerous weapons, illegal narcotics, and identified gang members were removed from Memphis streets following a coordinated operation involving the Memphis Police Department (MPD), the Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MGU), and the Auto Theft Task Force (ATTF), working alongside local and federal law enforcement partners.

On June 3, 2026, the Multi-Agency Gang Unit received information that wanted suspect and identified gang member Jakaylon Johnson was at a residence in the 700 block of Rosebank Road. Johnson had also been identified by the Auto Theft Task Force as a suspect in multiple auto theft-related offenses.

MPD’s Multi-Agency Gang Unit, Violent Crime Unit (VCU), and Auto Theft Task Force, along with law enforcement partners, responded to the location to locate Johnson. While on scene, officers observed a 2024 Nissan Altima parked outside the residence that had previously been involved in an incident in which it evaded members of the Auto Theft Task Force and the Tennessee Highway Patrol in May.

Officers made contact with individuals inside the residence and observed firearms and suspected narcotics in plain view. Although Johnson was not located inside, officers encountered Demarcus Howard, an identified gang member and the driver of the Nissan Altima and took him into custody.

Investigators obtained and executed a search warrant for the residence. During the search, they recovered more than 100 grams of marijuana, 442 grams of promethazine, a digital scale, two rifles, two handguns, including one equipped with a machine gun conversion device, along with an auto programmer.

Investigators later determined Johnson had left the residence shortly before officers arrived. He was located a short time later in the 2700 block of Lola Street and taken into custody without incident.

Demarcus Howard, 23, was charged with:
  • Reckless Driving
  • Evading Arrest in a Motor Vehicle
  • Convicted Felon in Possession of a Weapon
  • Prohibited Weapon to Wit: Machine Gun Conversion Device
Jakaylon Johnson, 19, was charged with:
  • Theft of Property $10,000–$60,000 (Auto Theft)
  • Vandalism $1,000–$2,500
This remains an active investigation.
An outdoor residential scene featuring a dark-colored sedan parked on a grassy area. The vehicle is shown from the side, displaying large multi‑spoke wheels and reflective surfaces that capture the surrounding trees and houses. Several homes, trees, and parked vehicles are visible in the background under bright daylight. At the bottom of the image, a blue gradient banner includes a circular badge-like graphic on the left and white text reading ‘Memphis Police Department – Established in 1827.’ The right side of the banner displays the text ‘joinmpd.com’ alongside several social media platform icons.“An assortment of items displayed on a countertop, including multiple firearm components and magazines, two clear plastic bags containing plant material, several open boxes with packing materials, and a dark-colored hard gun case labeled with large printed text. A bottle with a white cap and a printed label sits near the front of the arrangement. The lighting is bright and focused on the items. At the bottom of the image, a blue gradient banner includes a circular badge-like graphic and the text ‘Memphis Police Department – Established in 1827,’ along with the website ‘joinmpd.com’ and several social media icons.”An informational poster with a blue and yellow design featuring the heading ‘ARRESTED’ at the top along with a circular Memphis Police Department seal. Below the heading, there is a booking-style photograph framed in yellow. To the right of the photograph, large bold text displays the name ‘Demarcus Howard,’ followed by the description ‘Prohibited Weapon.’ Beneath this, additional text states that the individual, age 23, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including reckless driving, evading arrest in a vehicle, being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon, and possessing a prohibited weapon identified as a machine gun conversion device. On the left side of the poster, there is a blue shield-shaped graphic with the words ‘CRIME STOPPERS 901‑528‑CASH’ and a website link. Below the shield, text encourages contacting Crime Stoppers anonymously and notes eligibility for a cash reward. A small Memphis Police Department seal appears again in the lower-right corner.An informational poster with a blue and yellow color scheme displaying the large heading ‘ARRESTED’ at the top, alongside a circular Memphis Police Department seal. Below the heading, there is a booking-style photograph framed in yellow. To the right of the photograph, bold text reads ‘Jakaylon Johnson’ with the subheading ‘Theft of Property.’ Additional text states that the individual, age 19, was charged with two offenses: theft of property valued between $10,000 and $60,000 involving an automobile, and vandalism valued between $1,000 and $2,500. On the left side of the poster, a blue shield-shaped graphic contains the text ‘CRIME STOPPERS 901‑528‑CASH’ with a website link. Beneath this, more text encourages contacting Crime Stoppers anonymously and notes eligibility for a cash reward. A small Memphis Police Department seal appears in the lower-right corner of the poster.
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