Shelby County, TN – A 23-year-old woman has been arrested after allegedly threatening to blow up Jail East for Women if inmate releases didn’t begin by midnight, according to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO).
Investigators said the call came in around 11:34 p.m. on October 30, 2025, when an unidentified female called the jail’s release office, making threats of mass violence. Detectives later identified the caller as Kelvinia Townsend, who was reportedly connected to an inmate being held on domestic assault charges.
Following the investigation, deputies obtained an arrest warrant charging Townsend with Threatening to Commit an Act of Mass Violence, False Reporting, and Harassment.
According to the SCSO, detectives and the Fugitive Apprehension Team located Townsend on November 6, 2025, in the 2600 block of James Road, where she was taken into custody without incident.
Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner emphasized the seriousness of such threats in a statement, saying, “Our deputies take any threat of violence extremely seriously, especially those directed at our detention facilities or staff. The swift arrest in this case underscores our commitment to protecting the safety of our employees, inmates, and the public.”
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reiterated it will not tolerate threats intended to intimidate or endanger others through acts of mass violence.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have a tip? Message us!
