A federal grand jury in the Western District of Tennessee has indicted Trenton Abston, 25, of Memphis, on charges of attempted kidnapping and stalking Memphis Mayor Paul Young, according to a May 1 announcement by United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant.
The case is significant as it involves allegations of targeting an elected official for violence. U.S. Attorney Dunavant said, “Targeting elected officials for political violence is dangerous and absolutely unacceptable, and this office has zero tolerance for such threatening conduct. Because the state court disposition is manifestly inadequate to vindicate the substantial federal interests of the United States to prioritize and protect the safety of public officials, the defendant must be charged and held accountable under federal law.”
According to court proceedings described in the indictment, Abston allegedly parked outside Mayor Young’s neighborhood on June 15, 2025. He climbed a privacy fence to avoid security before approaching the mayor’s home with rope and duct tape in his car and a taser in his hoodie pocket. Doorbell camera footage reportedly showed Abston at approximately 9:30 PM with a visible taser while Mayor Young’s family was inside; no one answered when he rang the bell.
Memphis Police later identified Abston as a suspect after reviewing evidence including surveillance notes about security patrols around Mayor Young’s residence and personal information about local officials found in Abston’s storage unit. On June 20, officers discovered an Apple AirTag placed by Abston on the mayor’s government vehicle. The investigation also revealed that Abston had previously tried to force entry into City Hall on April 4, 2024.
Abston faces up to twenty years if convicted on attempted kidnapping charges and up to five years for stalking under federal statutes; sentencing will be determined by a judge based on guidelines if there is a conviction. Previously charged at the state level with attempted kidnapping as a Class D felony offense in Shelby County Criminal Court Division 10, he entered an Alford plea on April 14, accepting probation terms that could allow expungement upon successful completion.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee advances community safety through federal law enforcement efforts according to its official website. It is one of ninety-three offices under the Department of Justice according to its official website, handling prosecutions of federal crimes as well as defending civil matters involving the United States according to its official website. The office serves western Tennessee from locations in Memphis and Jackson according to its official website.
Dunavant concluded that holding individuals accountable under federal law remains necessary when state-level penalties are insufficient.