FRANKFORT, KY – Attorney General Russell Coleman announced that action by the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Division resulted in the sentencings of three Kentuckians, including former Monroe County Constable James “Darrell” Jackson, for election law violations and other crimes related to the 2022 primary election.
“Kentucky’s election laws are strong, and our elections are secure,” said Attorney General Coleman. “Our team is laser-focused on defending the integrity of the ballot box and protecting one of our nation’s most cherished and fundamental principles: free and fair elections. Every Kentucky voter can rest assured that our team will investigate suspected fraud.”
After the Attorney General’s Election Fraud Hotline received a tip regarding suspected election law violations in Monroe County, the Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) conducted an investigation. A Monroe County Grand Jury returned a 40-count indictment charging seven Monroe and Barren County residents for the election crimes.
According to the indictment, friends and members of the Jackson family facilitated an organized scheme to bribe voters or obtain blank ballots of registered voters in hopes of electing James “Darrell” Jackson Monroe County Jailer during the 2022 primary election.
James “Darrell” Jackson, 60, of Tompkinsville, pleaded guilty to one count of Facilitation to Engaging in Organized Criminal Syndicate (Class D Felony) and five counts of Making or Receiving Expenditures for Vote (Class D Felony). He was sentenced to six years, suspended for a period of five years.
Mary Jackson, 24, of Tompkinsville, pleaded guilty to one count of Facilitation to Engaging in Organized Criminal Syndicate (Class D Felony), six counts of Making or Receiving Expenditures for Vote (Class D Felony) and one count of Forgery Second Degree (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to six years, suspended for a period of five years.
Leslie Jackson, 37, of Summer Shade, in Barren County, pleaded guilty to a single count of Wrongful Registration (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to one year, suspended for a period of five years.
In July 2023, Bonnie McClendon, 67, of Tompkinsville pleaded guilty to one count of Perjury First Degree (Class D Felony) and two counts of Making or Receiving Expenditures for Vote (Class D Felony). A Pretrial Diversion for a period of five years was imposed.
Tommy McClendon, 71, of Tompkinsville also pleaded guilty in July on four counts of Making or Receiving Expenditures for Vote (Class D Felony). A Pretrial Diversion for a period of five years was imposed.
In November 2023, Lisa Jackson, 35, of Mount Hermon, pleaded guilty to one count of Facilitation of Engaging in Organized Crime (Class D Felony), one count of Persistent Felony Offender Second Degree (Felony Enhancement) and 17 counts of Making or Receiving Expenditures for Vote (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to 12 years.
In December 2023, Sherrye Jackson, 48, of Tompkinsville pleaded guilty to one count of Facilitation to Engaging in Organized Crime (Class D Felony) and one count of Perjury First Degree (Class D Felony). A Pretrial Diversion for a period of five years was imposed.
The Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) investigated and the Special Prosecutions Division investigated and prosecuted this case on behalf of the Commonwealth.
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