Shelby Co. leader, pastor who was pardoned by Gov. Lee indicted on 12 felony charges
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – The executive director of the Shelby County Office of Reentry and pastor for Lifeline to a Dying World Ministries is behind bars on a $1.1 million bond and facing a 12-count indictment accusing him of felony theft.
Court records show 50-year-old DeAndre Brown was arrested Wednesday after a grand jury deemed there was enough evidence to indict him on the following charges:
- 3 counts of property theft (over $250,000)
- 2 counts of property theft (between $60,000-$250,000)
- 2 counts of computer crime ($60,000 or more)
- 2 counts of computer crime (between $10,000-$60,000)
- 2 counts of money laundering
- official misconduct
His indictment stems from charges filed in 2020. The details regarding his allegations have yet to be revealed.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris released the following statement on Brown’s 12-count indictment:
A Shelby County Government official tells Action News 5 that Brown has been suspended from his executive position without pay per county policy.
In 2023, Brown spoke with Action News 5 about the Shelby County Office of Reentry’s mission. He shared that he spent time in both state and federal prison and used his experiences to support individuals seeking change.
Months later, Governor Bill Lee granted clemency to 23 Tennesseans, including Brown.
During an interview in 2023, Brown said he was shocked by his pardon.
“But I didn’t apply for my pardon until earlier this year because I really felt like I really did not deserve one. Everything they said I did, I did,” he said after being pardoned.
Just Tuesday night, he was applauded during a town hall meeting in Frayser for helping others and leading the Shelby County Reentry program.
Shelby County Commissioner Charlie Caswell introduced him to the crowd, saying, “I want to take another opportunity, I see another good brother out here. Our Director of Reentry, brother Brown, stand up. DeAndre Brown, for those who don’t know. Amazing young man. Started from the bottom, now he is here. He is our director of reentry and his great work led to him being pardoned by the governor. He is helping other folks. Thank you Pastor Brown for all that you do.”
Brown pastors Lifeline to a Dying World Ministries, where his wife, Vinessa Brown, is the first lady of the church.
His wife was also arrested and charged with the same charges.
She is behind bars on a $400,000 bond. Court dates have not been set for Brown or his wife.
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