A 70-year-old Tennessee man is facing felony charges after allegedly throwing a boy to the ground and placing a knee on his back in an attempted "citizen's arrest," despite the child reportedly walking away from the scene when first confronted. Stanley Trezevant was arrested and booked into the Shelby County Jail following an incident on Sept. 12 in Memphis, where authorities say he physically detained a minor who had already complied with his request to leave the lake.
Background
The incident occurred on Heron Oaks Cove in Memphis, Tennessee, a residential area bordering Norfleet Turner Lake. According to an affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime, Trezevant was at his home when he approached a boy and his 13-year-old friend who were fishing near the water. Trezevant allegedly told the minors "to leave the lake," and the boys reportedly complied with the instruction.
However, authorities state that Trezevant did not let the matter rest. The affidavit alleges that after the boys left the property, Trezevant "followed" them to an adjacent area of the lake. He allegedly told the children he was "going to perform a citizen's arrest" before grabbing the younger boy by his left arm and throwing him to the ground. Trezevant then reportedly placed his knee on the back of the victim and forced the boy's hands behind his back.
The Charges
Stanley Trezevant has been charged with felony child abuse and misdemeanor assault, according to court records. The physical altercation resulted in visible injuries to the victim. The boy’s mother contacted law enforcement and took her son to a nearby hospital. Police officers met the family at the medical facility, where they documented bruises on the boy's arm and leg.
The following day, Trezevant called officers to his home. In a statement to investigators, he allegedly conceded that he approached the boys while they were fishing on his property and asked them to leave. He admitted that the boys "eventually left his property" but claimed he followed them and performed the arrest. The victim and his friend later positively identified Trezevant as the individual who assaulted the minor. Trezevant is no longer listed in custody as of the latest reports.
Key Takeaways
- Stanley Trezevant, 70, was charged with felony child abuse and misdemeanor assault in Shelby County, Tennessee.
- The alleged assault occurred after the victim had already left the property in response to Trezevant's request.
- Trezevant allegedly threw the boy to the ground, placed a knee on his back, and handcuffed him to execute a "citizen's arrest."
- Medical personnel documented bruises on the victim's arm and leg following the incident.
- Trezevant is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 3.
What's Next
Stanley Trezevant is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 3 to answer the charges. As the case moves through the Shelby County judicial system, prosecutors will likely examine the legal validity of a "citizen's arrest" in this context, particularly given that the alleged suspect was a minor who had already complied with the property owner's instructions. Investigators continue to review the affidavit and witness statements to determine if additional charges are warranted.