MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Vanessa Murtaugh, the former chair of the Tennessee Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges of statutory rape, according to Shelby County District Attorney Frederick Agee.
Murtaugh, who once served as an assistant district attorney in Shelby County, was charged with aggravated statutory rape and statutory rape by an authority figure. She has been sentenced to four years of supervised probation and will be listed on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry for 14 years.
In addition to probation, Murtaugh is required to:
Complete alcohol, drug, and psycho-sexual assessments
Maintain steady employment
Have no contact with the victim or their family
District Attorney Agee stated, “Ms. Murtaugh will be under strict supervision for four years and on the sex offender registry for a total of 14 years. The registry controls where you can live, work, and socialize.”
Murtaugh was arrested in early March and booked into Shelby County Jail on a $50,000 bond. Her case has drawn additional public attention due to her former role overseeing inmate discipline and “good behavior” credits — a system scrutinized after Cleotha Abston Henderson was released early despite numerous violations.
“This case was handled in accordance with the victim’s family’s wishes,” said Agee. “We aimed to ensure justice while respecting their requests.”
