Prosecutor calls for state investigation after Tennessee senator allegedly sent defendant’s Social Security number to X

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – A West Tennessee district attorney has requested a criminal investigation into Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) and the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office after the lawmaker allegedly posted confidential personal information of a defendant on social media.

District Attorney Frederick H. Agee, who covers Crockett, Gibson and Haywood counties, confirmed Wednesday that he filed a report with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the State Audit Office on Friday, August 16.

DA Agee alleges that the Sheriff’s Office gave Senator Taylor unredacted personal information about a defendant in his jurisdiction and published that material in an X-post addressed to Agee.

The post, which has since been removed, may violate Tennessee Code 47-18-2110, which protects Tennessee residents from having their Social Security numbers published.

In a statement, District Attorney Agee said he felt compelled to report the alleged crime, in part because of the numerous cases of identity theft across the country.

I can confirm that I have reported Senator Taylor and the Gibson County Sheriff’s Department’s alleged violation of TCA 47-18-2110 to the TBI and the Comptroller’s Office. Mr. Cole, whose information was compromised, is from our judicial district, and I have a professional obligation to report the alleged crime. Releasing an individual’s personal information has serious consequences right now considering how many cases of identity theft we have in our country and state each year. Additionally, because Senator Taylor directed the social media post at me and it appears that the information released was released by the Gibson County Sheriff’s Department, I have asked a Pro Tem State Attorney to investigate whether the GCSD released this unredacted information in violation of the law.

Finally, I believe that my professional oath required me to report these suspected illegal activities, and I felt obligated to do so.

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