FROM: Jody Pickens, District Attorney General, 26th Judicial District
RE: State of Tennessee v. David Ian Lemons
On September 30, 2019, the Madison County, Tennessee, Grand Jury returned multiple indictments against David Ian Lemons, aged forty-two (42), of Jackson, Tennessee, a convicted felon with previous convictions for Possession of Marijuana With the Intent to Sell, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault, and Attempted Robbery.
The indictments encompassed multiple charges, including Possession of Marijuana With the Intent to Sell/Deliver, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony After Having Been Previously Convicted of a Dangerous Felony, Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Sale and Delivery of Methamphetamine (3 indictments).
Additionally, the indictments alleged a violation the Drug Free School Zone Act because one incident stemmed from the defendant’s sale of methamphetamine at his home located at 365 Chester Levee Road, located within 1000 feet of Southside High School. Another violation of the Drug Free School Zone Act stemmed from the execution of a search warrant served at that same address wherein a large amount of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, $2,875 in cash, and a firearm was located.
The two remaining indictments stem from the defendant’s selling methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a daycare.
On July 22, 2020, a Madison County jury convicted the defendant of Possession of Marijuana With the Intent to Sell/Deliver, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony After Having Been Previously Convicted of a Dangerous Felony, Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and being in violation of the Drug Free School Zone Act.
On September 29, 2020, Judge Don Allen sentenced the Defendant to serve twenty-three (23) years in the Tennessee Department of Correction.
The Defendant pleaded guilty to the three remaining indictments alleging the Sale/Delivery of Methamphetamine Within a Drug Free School Zone and was sentenced to a total effective sentence of fifteen (15) years in the Tennessee Department of Correction.
Some sentences were ordered to be served consecutively, resulting in a total effective sentence of thirty-eight (38) years in prison.
“Our children are our most precious commodity. That is why we as a society should not tolerate criminal behavior anywhere but especially in those areas where our schools and daycares are located,” said District Attorney General Jody S. Pickens, “Every parent should be able to send their child to these institutions without the fear that a drug dealer, pedaling poison, will put their child in a zone of danger through their calculated criminal behavior because we know violence is integral to and surrounds the drug trade. This is precisely why strong sentences are needed to deter such conduct and to protect society.”
The case was prosecuted on behalf of the citizens of the State of Tennessee by Assistant District Attorney General Matthew Floyd and investigated by the Metro Narcotics Unit with Investigator Mike Arnold having principal responsibility.
