On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that indicted Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Melissa Boyd had tested positive for illegal substances in a recent court-ordered drug screening.
According to records obtained by prosecutors, Judge Boyd submitted to a drug test on March 12th as mandated by the terms of her bail agreement on criminal charges. Laboratory results provided to the court on March 15th revealed the presence of cocaine and alcohol in Boyd’s system. In response, state attorneys filed a motion to revoke the judge’s $5,000 bond, arguing she had violated the conditions of her release by consuming illegal drugs while out on bail.
The positive drug test came just days after a Tennessee legislature committee recommended Boyd’s removal from office to the full House and Senate. At the hearing, members of the Board of Judicial Conduct disclosed Boyd had failed a drug screening recently, despite completing a rehabilitation program in Georgia earlier. Boyd has faced multiple reprimands from the oversight board in the past year related to substance abuse issues and unethical conduct.
According to reports, Boyd has a history of alcohol and drug problems, including marijuana and cocaine addiction. She was first elected as a Shelby County Criminal Court judge in 2022 but has been suspended without pay for several months. The board estimates Boyd has collected about $17,000 monthly in salary during her removal proceedings.
In addition to the new drug charges, Boyd faces unrelated charges of harassment and witness tampering stemming from accusations made by a woman who claims she worked as Boyd’s former campaign manager.
Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
