Former Police Chief Celeste Murphy indicted, facing criminal charges
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Recently resigned Chattanooga Chief of Police Celeste Murphy faces criminal charges following a TBI investigation.
The investigation revealed Murphy had lied on several government documents.
She turned herself in Thursday morning and was booked into the Hamilton County Jail.
Murphy was released on a $19,000 bond.
Her court date is scheduled for July 18.
Former police Chief Celeste Murphy arrested June 27, 2024. Released on $19,000 bond. Mugshot courtesy of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
Here is the official release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation:
“The former police chief of the Chattanooga Police Department faces a set of felony and misdemeanor criminal charges following an investigation by special agents of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
At the request of District Attorney General Pro Tem D. Michael Dunavant, TBI agents began investigating the residency of Celeste Murphy (DOB 6/6/1968) in April. Dunavant was appointed by the Court to serve as District Attorney General Pro Tem upon the recusal of 11th Judicial District Attorney General Coty Wamp. During the investigation, agents determined Murphy knowingly entered false information on several government documents related to establishing residency in Chattanooga, though swearing to their truth in signing the documents.
On Tuesday, the Hamilton County Grand Jury returned a 17-count indictment, charging Murphy with one count of Illegal Voter Registration, one count of False Entries on Official Registration or Election Documents, three counts of False Entries in Governmental Records, three counts of Forgery, three counts of Perjury, and six counts of Official Misconduct. This morning, Murphy surrendered to agents at the Hamilton County Jail, where authorities booked her and subsequently released her after Murphy posted an aggregate $19,000 bond.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.”
We are working to learn more. We will be following up on this investigation on WDEF News 12.
For the full list of charges, click here.
MURPHY RESIGNATION: Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy resigns Wednesday
The Fraternal Order of Police gave a statement on the resignation and indictment of Celeste Murphy.
It reads:
“It is a disappointing day for law enforcement when an Officer or Chief is indicted for acting outside the law and tarnishes the badge we all proudly wear.
We appreciate the thorough investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
We will support our interim Chief and will offer our support to the Mayor’s Office in the search for Chattanooga’s next police chief.
While we are entering a time of uncertainty, our resolve to provide exceptional front-line services to the residents of Chattanooga remains steadfast. They deserve and expect that from our Membership.
Chris Mullinix
President Fraternal Order of Police
Rock City Lodge #22”
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp also issued a statement on his social media.
It reads:
“Today is a sad day for our community. Those of us who have been entrusted to serve the public have a responsibility to keep that trust. The Chattanooga Police Department is a revered law enforcement agency and I am confident it will thrive again under new leadership.”
We looked into her residency information, and found that she is listed as a homeowner in Atlanta on the Fulton County Property Records website.
She is listed as having purchased a home in September 2020, and still being one of two primary homeowners.
Property tax logs show that taxes were still paid on the home.
Meanwhile, a look at Hamilton County Property Records shows that she is not listed as a homeowner in Chattanooga.
