13 arrested for stealing $250,000 worth of chicken from semi-truck in Memphis

The arrests happened on September 15 when law enforcement was executing an arrest warrant for 33-year-old Javunte Johnson, who was wanted on an aggravated robbery charge. When officers arrived behind a hotel, they found Johnson and 12 other people unloading pallets of chicken from the semi-truck.

The suspects allegedly ran when they saw law enforcement, but officers were able to apprehend everyone who was involved. The driver of the semi-truck, Robert Wilson, was also arrested. Wilson told investigators that he had agreed to trade his shipment to pay off a drug debt he owed to one of the men arrested at the scene.

Law enforcement recovered three handguns during the investigation, $110,000 worth of stolen merchandize, and drugs including fentanyl and cocaine, according to WBTV. Among the others who were arrested were Quantrivious Shaver, Jessie Moore, Samuel Jackson, John Shipp, Rico Jackson, Devean Hoyle, Trashawn Featherson, Robert Dishmon, Marcellous McKinney, and Alexis Pike.

The bust was part of a larger Memphis Safe Task Force operation that resulted in 49 arrests that day. The task force was created by a memorandum signed by President Donald Trump in September of 2025 and comprises federal, state, and local officials as well as members of the Tennessee National Guard.

According to the US Marshals, the operation produced 12,796 arrests and has seized 2,163 illegal firearms.

"The MSTF is focused on arresting violent criminals, clearing warrants, seizing firearms, and locating missing children. Since the operation began, the MSTF has located 189 missing children," the US Marshals said. "This operation reflects the MSTF’s commitment to coordinated enforcement efforts and its mission to identify, apprehend, and hold accountable those who pose a threat to public safety."