Memphis: Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk Says Facebook Account Hacked After Controversial Post
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
By Dr. Layne McDonald
Immediate Answer
Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk-elect Joe Towns Jr. says his Facebook account was hacked after a controversial post appeared on his page. Towns said he did not write the message, removed it after learning about it, and warned followers to disregard recent posts, direct messages, or other communications from the account.
Facts
A controversial post appeared on the Facebook account of Joe Towns Jr., the newly elected Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk in Memphis.
According to reporting from Action News 5, the post included language telling people to keep a gun with them and “shoot on sight.” It also included a warning not to trust law enforcement.
The post was connected to a discussion about a woman who was reportedly hanged in Mississippi. The online message also included strong political and emotional language concerning racial injustice, public safety, and frustration with the response to violence.
Towns told Action News 5 that the Facebook page was his but that the post was not written by him. He said the account had been hacked.
Towns also said he removed the post after someone brought it to his attention. He explained that he had been busy and had not immediately thought about taking it down.
Later, Towns posted a notice telling people to disregard any direct messages, posts, or other communications sent from his account during the previous several days.
He also rejected the idea that citizens should be encouraged to murder anyone. When asked whether he would urge people to remain armed and shoot first, Towns said that such an action would be murder and said he did not want to give that impression.
Towns recently won the election for Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk after defeating incumbent Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert. He is scheduled to take the oath of office on August 31.
He also won reelection to the Tennessee House of Representatives but said he would give up his District 84 seat after 31 years to focus on his criminal court clerk responsibilities. A special election is expected to be held to replace him in the state legislature.
The Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk’s Office is located at 201 Poplar Avenue in downtown Memphis. The office provides administrative services connected to the county’s criminal courts.
Perspectives
The central issue is not only what appeared on the Facebook page. It is also how the public should evaluate a disputed digital statement involving an elected official.
Towns’ position is that the account was hacked and that he did not write or authorize the controversial message. He removed the post, issued a warning to followers, and publicly rejected violence or murder.
That explanation deserves to be reported accurately without being treated as either automatically proven or automatically false. At this point, the verified public record establishes that Towns made the hacking claim and took steps to remove the message. It does not, by itself, establish who accessed the account, how the account was compromised, or what motivated the post.
Other Memphis voices have focused on the substance and context of the message. Willie Simon, chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party, said he found it difficult to imagine Towns, a longtime legislator, making statements that were so extreme and graphic.
Pastor and political activist Dr. Earle Fisher expressed a different perspective. He pointed to concerns about unsolved deaths involving Black citizens, including reported hangings in Mississippi. Fisher argued that public attention should not focus only on the wording of a reaction while ignoring the injustice that prompted anger and concern.
Both perspectives help explain why the incident has drawn attention.
One perspective emphasizes account security, the denial of authorship, and the danger of attributing a post to someone before the facts are established. The other emphasizes the reality that communities can experience deep fear, grief, and anger when they believe violence or injustice has not been addressed.
Those concerns can exist at the same time. A community can demand justice while also rejecting calls for vigilantism. Citizens can acknowledge racial injustice while refusing to spread unverified accusations. Public officials can express concern about suffering while remaining responsible for the security and communication practices connected to their public platforms.
The available reporting does not establish who made the post or why. It would be irresponsible to fill those gaps with speculation.
It is also important to distinguish between a controversial post appearing on an account and proof that the account holder personally authored or endorsed the message. Digital screenshots can travel quickly, but screenshots alone may not answer questions about account access, timing, authorization, or later changes.
Why It Matters
The Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk-elect is preparing to assume responsibility in an office connected to the criminal justice system. That makes public trust especially important.
Court offices handle sensitive information, public records, payments, case information, and communication with residents. The person leading such an office does not operate only as a private citizen. Public statements connected to that person can affect confidence in the institution, even when those statements are disputed.
The incident also highlights how quickly social media can turn uncertainty into public judgment.
A post can be copied, shared, archived, and discussed long after it has been deleted. A correction may not reach everyone who saw the original message. At the same time, a person whose account was compromised may face public condemnation for words they say they did not write.
That is why transparency matters. Public officials should clearly explain what they know, what they do not know, what steps they have taken, and how the public can recognize legitimate communications. Citizens should also practice restraint before sharing accusations or treating an online post as conclusive proof of someone’s beliefs.
For Memphis residents, the practical lesson is simple: slow down when a digital claim is emotionally explosive. Look for reporting from established local outlets. Check whether the official has issued a direct statement. Separate what has been confirmed from what is alleged. Do not treat online outrage as a substitute for evidence.
The McReport has also covered Memphis stories involving public concerns and community trust, including the hidden utility-disconnection crisis facing Memphis households. Different stories require different responses, but each deserves careful reporting that respects the people affected.
Eternal Center
Proverbs 11:13 says, “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
This verse does not tell us to ignore wrongdoing or avoid difficult facts. It calls us to handle information with character.
Christian truth-telling is not careless repetition. It is not the rush to expose, shame, or destroy a person based on incomplete information. It requires honesty, restraint, courage, and a willingness to acknowledge what remains unknown.
That standard is especially important when a public post includes language about weapons, law enforcement, race, politics, and alleged injustice. Such subjects can produce immediate fear and anger. But followers of Jesus are called to pursue truth without cruelty and justice without hatred.
The cross of Christ reminds us that human beings carry dignity even when they are wrong, accused, frightened, or under public scrutiny. It also reminds us that evil and injustice are not solved through vengeance. Christians should seek accountability through lawful processes, truthful testimony, and compassion for those who may be suffering.
Proverbs 11:13 gives Memphis readers a useful test: Am I sharing this because it is verified and necessary, or because it is shocking and emotionally satisfying?
Trust is built when words are accurate, motives are examined, and people refuse to add speculation to an already difficult situation.
Top Three Takeaways
1. Report the claim accurately, but do not add speculation
Joe Towns Jr. says his Facebook account was hacked and that he did not write the controversial post. That is the public explanation reported by local news outlets.
Readers should not go beyond the verified record by guessing who accessed the account, whether the claim is true, or what motive may have been involved. Those questions require evidence.
2. Reject violence while taking injustice seriously
The language in the post urged people to carry weapons, shoot on sight, and distrust law enforcement. Towns said citizens should not be encouraged to murder anyone.
At the same time, concerns about racial injustice, unsolved deaths, and public safety should not be dismissed. Memphis needs honest conversations that pursue justice without turning anger into threats or vigilantism.
3. Verify before you amplify
Before sharing a screenshot or repeating a claim about a public official, check multiple credible sources and look for a direct response from the person or office involved.
A responsible next step is to ask:
Was the account confirmed to belong to the person?
Has the person denied writing the message?
Was the post removed or corrected?
Are independent news outlets reporting the same basic facts?
Which details are verified, and which remain unknown?
Careful verification protects both public accountability and individual dignity.
Practical Next Step
If you saw the controversial post or received a message from the account, do not forward it as proof of what Towns believes. Preserve relevant information if needed for legitimate reporting, but avoid spreading unverified claims or inflammatory language.
For official updates about Shelby County’s criminal court functions, consult the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk’s Office and established local news sources. For broader Memphis reporting grounded in truth, human dignity, and faith, visit www.laynemcdonald.com.
Follow The McReport for calm, Christ-centered news that seeks truth without cruelty, accountability without contempt, and clarity without speculation.
Sources:
Dr. Layne McDonald is the founder and director of The McReport.
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