FROM: Jody Pickens, District Attorney General, 26th Judicial District
On November 5, 2024, Jackson Police Department dispatched patrol officers to 216 Conger St. in reference to a domestic disturbance. Officers made contact with a 911 caller who told officers her ex-boyfriend was in her apartment with a firearm.
The caller stated she took her kids and left the apartment when Herman Lee James Jr., age 24, of Jackson, Tennessee, woke up that morning, became angry and pointed a gun at her while her children were present.
Officers went to the apartment where the caller indicated the defendant would be found and opened the door with a key provided by the caller. Inside they found Herman Lee James Jr. and placed him under arrest for outstanding warrants.
After searching the residence, officers located a 9 mm Taurus handgun with an extended magazine which had been described by the caller. Officers checked James’ prior criminal history and discovered he had a prior felony conviction for Aggravated Assault in 2021 and that the 911 caller was the victim in the previous case. They also determined that the defendant had a 2023 conviction for Felony Evading Arrest.
Additionally, the arresting officers knew him to be a member of the Vice Lords criminal street gang.
On April 28, 2025, a Madison County Grand Jury returned a single-count indictment against Herman Lee James Jr. for being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
On January 22, 2026, the State of Tennessee, represented by Assistant District Attorney Bradley F. Champine, tried the defendant on the indictment before a jury. The jury found the defendant guilty as charged after a one-day trial.
On March 9, 2026, Circuit Court Judge Donald Allen sentenced James to 12 years to serve in prison which is the maximum sentence allowed by law. James will have to serve at least 85% of the sentence before he is first eligible for parole.
Judge Allen made a finding that the defendant revictimized the same victim from his previous Aggravated Assault conviction by his actions in this case and ordered the sentence to run consecutive to the defendant’s prior felony sentences.
“The community should be very proud of the work of Jackson Police Department officers Kelvin Hulsey, RobertJaggars, and Roshin Ali who made this city safer by making a case that allowed for this defendant to be removed from our community. Without their work and the assistance of the caller, this defendant would still be out violating the laws of our State,” said District Attorney General Jody Pickens. “It takes bravery like that from the 911 caller in this case to put an end to a cycle of violence by standing up to domestic abusers. Because she removed her children from danger and called the police, we were able to do our part in making sure this defendant can no longer endanger the people of Madison County.
“Mr. James had an opportunity after his previous felony convictions to change his ways and live a different life. Instead, and unfortunately for everyone involved, he chose to continue a life of lawlessness and violence. Thankfully, for the next 12 years he can no longer terrorize this woman, her children, or this community.”
