Repeat Offender Cleotha Abston Charged Kidnapping Missing Memphis Teacher Eliza Fletcher

SHELBY COUNTY, TN. (THECOUNT) — Cleotha Abston has been identified as the 38-year-old suspect arrested Saturday in the kidnapping case of missing Shelby County, Tennessee teacher Eliza Fletcher. Abston pleaded guilty to an especially aggravated kidnapping charge in 2000 and was sentenced to 24 years. He was released in 2020.

Fletcher, a teacher at St. Mary’s Episcopal School, was jogging near the University of Memphis early Friday morning when she was forced into a dark-colored SUV.

Abston has been charged with especially aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence, Memphis Police announced early Sunday.

Fletcher has not been located. Police said the search for her is still active.

A second person was arrested in the same operation, but police say he is not believed to be connected to Fletcher’s abduction.

Mario Abston, 36, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture and Sell Fentanyl, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture and Sell Heroin, and Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony.

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Geo quick facts: Shelby County is a county in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2010 census, the population was 927,644. It is the state’s largest county both in terms of population and geographic area. Its county seat is Memphis, a port on the Mississippi River and the second most populous city in Tennessee – Wikipedia.