Memphis Man Wrongfully Jailed for Five Months Seeks Justice

Memphis Man Wrongfully Jailed for Five Months Seeks Justice

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Picture this: waking up every day knowing you didn’t do anything wrong, yet being locked away for a crime that isn’t yours. That was the heart-wrenching reality for Anthony Robertson, a 39-year-old man from Ohio who recently found himself caught in a legal nightmare. After spending nearly five months in jail for a crime he didn’t commit, he now shares his story in hopes of finding accountability and justice.

A Shocking Arrest

Anthony had lived in Memphis for most of his life but made the move to Ohio last year. Everything began in late January of this year when he received an alarming phone call from the U.S. Marshals. They informed him that there was an active warrant for his arrest in Shelby County. Just a month later, he found himself confronted by marshals at his home.

“I just see like Marshals with their shields up, with rifles,” he recounted in a recent Zoom interview. “They said, ‘put your hands up and come down the steps.’” Shocked and confused, Anthony had no idea what was happening or the charges against him, which included serious allegations such as aggravated kidnapping and rape.

The Disturbing Mix-Up

It soon became clear the arrest was a mistake—due to a mere misspelling of a last name and a typo in a date of birth. The warrant was actually intended for a totally different individual, Anthony Roberson, a repeat offender already in custody for similar charges. To make matters worse, although the authorities knew that Roberson was already detained, Anthony was still held for a month in a jail in Ohio before being transported back to Memphis’ infamous 201 Poplar jail.

“Every day I expected to lose my life,” Anthony shared, reflecting on the bleak thoughts that haunted him during those dark months. “I was saying like, ‘No sir, no sir, y’all got to have the wrong person. That’s not me.’” Despite his protests, he remained behind bars, his pleas for justice seemingly falling on deaf ears.

Enduring Consequences

After four long months in jail, Anthony was finally released on July 3. However, the toll had already taken its toll. He lost his job and now lives with the emotional scars of trauma, including PTSD from the experience. “It still triggers me to see officers just coming towards me, even though I know I haven’t done anything,” he admitted, highlighting the lasting impact of this wrongful incarceration.

The Journey Forward

Even after the wrongful charges were expunged from his record, Anthony is not resting. He is determined to fight for accountability, stating, “I’m going to make sure this doesn’t happen to anybody else.” His attorney, Andre Wharton, articulates the significance of this case, emphasizing that human error shouldn’t lead to people losing their lives or livelihoods.

As Anthony continues to seek justice, he faces an uphill battle. The Shelby County District Attorney’s office is currently investigating the incident, while the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has explained that the warrant process is designed to ensure the correct individual is apprehended. Despite their procedures, mistakes can still occur, leaving innocent individuals like Anthony to pay the price.

A Hopeful Future

Through it all, Anthony remains resilient. He’s back in Ohio, trying to rebuild his life, and he’s not alone in his fight. Others who have faced similar wrongful arrests can find inspiration in his story. As he continues his pursuit of justice and accountability, what happened to Anthony is a stark reminder of the importance of accuracy in our legal system.

In a world where mistakes can have grave consequences, Anthony Robertson’s story calls for vigilance and compassion. Stay tuned as we continue to follow this case, hoping for a brighter future where accountability prevails, and justice is served.