The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office has announced that several residents of Monroe and Barren counties have been sentenced for conspiring to elect a Monroe Co. constable the Monroe Co. jailer.
After the Attorney General’s Election Fraud Hotline received a tip regarding suspected election law violations in Monroe Co., the Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) conducted an investigation.
As a result, a Monroe Co. Grand Jury returned a 40-count indictment charging seven Monroe and Barren Co. residents for the election crimes.
“Kentucky’s election laws are strong, and our elections are secure,” Attorney General Russell Coleman said. “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.”
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 Monroe Co. Constable James “Darrell” Jackson the Monroe County jailer during the 2022 primary election.
Those who pled guilty:
- James “Darrell” Jackson, 60, of Tompkinsville, pled guilty to facilitation to engaging in an 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.
- Lisa Jackson, 35, of Mount Hermon, pled guilty to facilitation of engaging in organized crime (class D felony), second-degree persistent felony offender (felony enhancement) and 17 counts of making or receiving expenditures for vote. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
- Mary Jackson, 24, of Tompkinsville, pled guilty to facilitation to engaging in an organized criminal syndicate, six counts of making or receiving expenditures for vote and second-degree forgery (class D felony). She was sentenced to six years, suspended for a period of five years.
- Leslie Jackson, 37, of Summer Shade, pled guilty to wrongful registration (class D felony). She was sentenced to one year, suspended for a period of five years.
- Bonnie McClendon, 67, of Tompkinsville, pled guilty to first-degree perjury (class D felony) and two counts of making or receiving expenditures for vote. A Pretrial Diversion for a period of five years was imposed.
- Tommy McClendon, 71, of Tompkinsville, pled guilty to four counts of making or receiving expenditures for vote. A Pretrial Diversion for a period of five years was imposed.
- Sherrye Jackson, 48, of Tompkinsville, pled to facilitation to engaging in organized crime and first-degree perjury. A Pretrial Diversion for a period of five years was imposed.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
