MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The State Board of Judicial Conduct has recommended that Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Melissa Boyd be removed from office.
The board sent a letter to Tennessee House of Representatives Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally Thursday.
In the letter, the board states that during an investigation into Boyd’s social media activities, the board received affidavits from someone who claimed to have been Boyd’s campaign manager during the 2022 election.
In the affidavits, Boyd was accused of admitting to having cocaine in her home and that she had used cocaine “on and off” for the past year. The affidavits also stated that the campaign manager claimed to have seen Boyd smoke marijuana multiple times since she was elected.
The board reportedly received another affidavit in December 2022, in which the campaign manager claimed to have seen Boyd intoxicated “many times before” and that Boyd became “aggressive and hostile” when she drank.
The board states that in April 2023, it sent Boyd’s attorney a letter regarding an investigation into the claims of illegal drug use. In May 2023, Boyd reportedly responded through her attorney and “did not deny the facts and allegations set forth” in the board’s letter.
The board and Boyd’s attorney reportedly negotiated a suspension on May 22, 2023. The board states the suspension was not made public at the time because Boyd has requested a chance to seek treatment.
Boyd has received two public reprimands since assuming office in September 2022, including a May 2023 incident where she solicited money for a school on social media while wearing her judicial robe.
In December 2023, Boyd was indicted for harassment and coercion of a witness. The indictment stemmed from allegations claiming that between November 2022 and March 2023, Boyd influenced or attempted to influence a witness into falsely testifying or withholding information.
Boyd was suspended after the indictment.
The board says it sent Boyd a letter offering her the chance to resign to avoid any further proceedings. The board claims the letter was sent in November 2023 and that Boyd had until December 31, 2023, to resign. Boyd reportedly did not respond.
The board states the vote to recommend removal was unanimous.
