Memphis, TN - Michael Love has been indicted on charges of kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. Lawrence J. Laurenzi, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the indictment today.
According to information in the indictment, in June 2015, December 2014, and March 2012, Love traveled from Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee, to commit sexual assault, on each occasion holding a woman against her will and engaging in forced sexual intercourse. In March 2015, April 2014 and November 2013, Love used the Internet or a chat line to meet a woman, and again, on each occasion, held the woman against her will, and committed sexual assault. One of the alleged victims was a minor. It is also alleged that Love twice used a firearm during the commission of the crimes. Love is charged with six counts of kidnapping to commit sexual assault, and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
Lawrence J. Laurenzi, Acting U.S. Attorney, Western District of Tennessee, said: "We have a moral responsibility to provide a community free from sexual assault. We will use all of our resources to bring these sexual offenders out of the darkness of their homes and into our criminal court system. The people who commit these crimes are cowards who will be prosecuted fully under the law."
A known sample of Love’s DNA was compared to existing DNA profiles in CODIS - the Combined DNA Index System. CODIS is a national database designed to help identify suspects in unsolved cases. Biological evidence collected during examination of a sexual assault victim is preserved in a Sexual Assault Kit, and ultimately, sent to a laboratory for analysis. Once the DNA profile is complete, it is placed into CODIS and regularly compared to profiles developed in other cases. The Memphis Police Department’s Sex
Crimes Bureau, DNA Cold Case Unit, developed Love as a suspect in the indicted cases in part, through use of DNA and CODIS technology.
Love also has matters pending in Shelby County Criminal Court, where he has been charged with rape, aggravated rate, aggravated kidnapping, criminal attempt - kidnapping and robbery.
This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department (Sex Crimes, DNA Cold Case Unit) and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deb Ireland and Bryce Phillips are prosecuting this case on the government’s behalf.
The charges and allegations in the indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
