The 25-year-old Memphis man who was arrested after being caught prowling in the neighborhood of Memphis Mayor Paul Young last week made his first appearance in court Friday, June 20.
Trenton Abston was arraigned on charges of attempted kidnapping, stalking and aggravated criminal trespass on the evening of Sunday, June 15. His bail was set at $50,000. His family plans to hire an attorney to represent him.
He allegedly wanted to discuss crime with the mayor, particularly the city’s crime rate. A bail review hearing is scheduled for Monday, June 23. Outside the courtroom, Abston’s uncle described the aspiring law enforcement officer as “remorseful.”
“I have spoken with him. He’s very remorseful, and he said, ‘I wish I had done something a little bit different,’” said Theodore Martin, who identified himself as Abston’s uncle and spoke briefly outside the courtroom. “He made a bad decision. One time. It’s a big one, but one time.”
According to the Memphis Police Department, private security cameras captured the suspect scaling a fence around the East Memphis subdivision where Young resides with his wife and two children. Abston walked directly to the front door of the mayor’s residence and knocked. Law enforcement was swiftly alerted.
In a Facebook statement, Young also said Abston had “a full pocket and a nervous demeanor.” At the time of his arrest, police officers also recovered a Taser, rope and duct tape from Abston’s Hyundai Santa Fe. Nearby cameras showed the vehicle registered to Abston visited the area on several occasions over the month leading up to his arrest.
The incident comes at a time of heightened concern for the safety of elected officials. On June 14, two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers and their spouses were shot at their respective residences by a gunman disguised as a police officer. One couple survived. Vance Boelter was apprehended by police two days later.
“In today’s climate, especially after the tragic events in Minnesota and the threats my wife and I often receive online, none of us can be too careful. The link between angry online rhetoric and real-life violence is becoming undeniable,” read Young’s statement.
Elected officials from both political parties have reported increased threats in recent months.
“We understand the concerns raised by this incident and want to reassure the public that the Memphis Police Department remains fully committed to the safety of all residents, including our city’s elected officials. We take any potential threat seriously and will continue to act swiftly and thoroughly,” the MPD said in a statement.
