The indictment of former Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy shortly after her resignation from her position is a "sad day for our community," a Tennessee mayor says. The indictment contains felony and misdemeanor criminal charges against Murphy, including illegal voter registration, false entries on official documents, perjury, and official misconduct.
Former Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy has been indicted on 17 criminal charges, including felony and misdemeanor offenses, just one day after she resigned from her position. The indictment stems from an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) into Murphy's residency.
According to the TBI, the investigation began in April and determined that Murphy knowingly entered false information on several government documents related to establishing residency in Chattanooga. Murphy swore to the truth of these documents when she signed them.
Former Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy Indicted on 17 Criminal Charges
The indictment includes the following charges:
* One count of Illegal Voter Registration
Former Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy Indicted on 17 Criminal Charges
* One count of False Entries on Official Registration or Election Documents
* Three counts of False Entries in Governmental Records
Former Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy Indicted on 17 Criminal Charges
* Three counts of Forgery
* Three counts of Perjury
Former Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy Indicted on 17 Criminal Charges
* Six counts of Official Misconduct
Murphy surrendered to authorities on Thursday morning at the Hamilton County Jail. She was booked and released after posting a $19,000 bond.
The indictment comes as a shock to many in the Chattanooga community, who had high hopes for Murphy when she was appointed police chief in April 2022. Murphy was the first woman to lead the Chattanooga Police Department.
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp called the indictment a "sad day for our community." He said, "Those of us who have been entrusted to serve the public have a responsibility to keep that trust."
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly said he had "accepted the resignation of Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy, effective immediately." He said, "While the circumstances surrounding the situation have been challenging, I respect her desire to preserve the integrity of the Chattanooga Police Department."
Harry Sommers, the Chattanooga Police Department's current Executive Chief of Police, will now fill Murphy's vacated role while the mayor's office launches a search for the next chief.
The investigation into Murphy's residency is ongoing. The TBI says it is working with the Hamilton County District Attorney's Office to prosecute the case.
