Shelby County Criminal Court Division 9 Judge Melissa Boyd has been indicted for coercion of a witness and harassment, according to court records.

She was indicted Tuesday, Dec. 12, and booked into the Shelby County Jail Wednesday, Dec. 13.

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She was given a $5,000 bail and posted Wednesday.

The indictment says from November 2022 through March, Boyd attempted to coerce Lashanta Rudd, her former campaign manager, to testify falsely or “withhold truthful testimony, truthful information, document or thing.”

It described Rudd as a witness in an “official proceeding.” It’s not clear what official proceeding it was referring to, but Boyd was being investigated by the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct at that time for complaints that were made against her, including by Rudd.

It also says that in January, she essentially communicated with Rudd so often and in such a way that it amounted to harassment.

The indictment was handed down by District Attorney Frederick Agee’s office after the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office recused itself, the Shelby County DA’s office confirmed.

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Shelby County Criminal Court Division 10 Jennifer Mitchell is currently assigned to the case but said that she and the rest of the criminal court judges have recused themselves.

She said a senior judge will eventually be appointed to preside over the case.

The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct recently referred Boyd to the Tennessee General Assembly for “further action” after failing to comply with the terms of a suspension agreement that she entered into with the board in May.

Boyd was ultimately suspended by the board after admitting to using and possessing illegal drugs, including cocaine and marijuana, according to documents.

The suspension also followed complaints from Rudd and others that included allegations of “threatening and intimidating statements and behavior and alcohol abuse,” according to the board.

The six-month suspension mandated that Boyd undergo a “physical, mental health, and/or substance abuse or addiction evaluation” and a professional assessment by the Tennessee Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP) within 30 days, which she told The Daily Memphian she would not complete before returning to the bench.

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She cited the high cost of the assessment and an ultimate belief that it would be unnecessary. 

“There’s no one that knows me that would say I have a conduct problem or behavior problem or psychiatric problem or any other problem,” she told The Daily Memphian in an October interview.

On Oct. 31, the board issued Boyd a public reprimand — the second one she had received since being elected.

“There’s no one that knows me that would say I have a conduct problem or behavior problem or psychiatric problem or any other problem.”

Melissa Boyd

Boyd’s first public reprimand came May 8 for allegedly soliciting resources and cash donations on Facebook to benefit a school. 

State law mandates that judges be referred to the Legislature after receiving two public reprimands while they are on the bench.

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Boyd said in the interview that despite not completing the evaluation, she would return to the bench regardless Nov. 1.

The board then issued the reprimand, which stated Boyd was still suspended. She did not return to the bench Nov. 1 and still has yet to do so.