Multiple defendants sentenced to state prison in Jackson-area cases, DA says
JACKSON, Tenn. — On February 17, 2026, James Henry Parker, age fifty-three (53), of Denmark, Tennessee, pled guilty to Felony Evading Arrest, Aggravated Assault, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving on a Revoked License with prior convictions.
The offenses occurred on June 9, 2025. Parker’s criminal history included three felony convictions in Haywood County, Tennessee, for Theft over $1,000 in July 1999, Felony Evading Arrest in May 2012, and Felony Evading Arrest in January 2017. He also had prior felony convictions in Madison County, Tennessee, for Aggravated Assault and Burglary in January 1994, Theft over $500 in January 1998, and Aggravated Assault and Felony Evading Arrest in August 2020. The trial court sentenced him to serve ten (10) years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. He must serve 45% of that sentence before he becomes eligible for parole.
On March 24, 2026, Rashaud Jerome Townsend, age thirty-two (32), of Jackson, Tennessee, pled guilty to Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Retaliation for Past Action, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamine, Driving on a Suspended License, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon with a prior violent felony.
The offenses occurred on August 9, 2025. Townsend had four prior convictions in Madison County for Aggravated Burglary – two in February 2012, one in November 2012, and one in September 2013. The trial court sentenced him to serve fifteen (15) years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. He must serve 85% of that sentence before he becomes eligible for parole.
Also on March 30, 2026, Trimond Felander Epperson, age forty (40), of Jackson, Tennessee, pled guilty to Possession of Morphine and Tramadol, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell and/or Deliver, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
The offenses occurred on July 6, 2024. Epperson had prior felony convictions in Madison County, Tennessee, for Forgery in September 2004, Obtaining Drugs by Fraud in September 2004, Obtaining Drugs by Fraud in May 2006, and Theft over $1,000 in 2015. The trial court sentenced him to serve five (5) years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. He must serve 45% of that sentence before he becomes eligible for parole. Epperson was already serving a sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On October 30, 2025, the State of Tennessee, represented by Assistant District Attorney Bradley F. Champine, tried Epperson for Introduction of Contraband in a Penal Facility. After a unanimous jury found Epperson guilty, the trial court sentenced him to twelve (12) years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections on January 7, 2026. He must serve 60% of that sentence before he becomes eligible for parole in that case. His total sentence in both cases is now seventeen (17) years.
On April 1, 2026, Kijuan K Murphy, age thirty (30), of Jackson, Tennessee, pled guilty to being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm with a prior violent felony and Failure to Appear.
The offenses occurred on July 25, 2024, and May 6, 2025. Murphy had prior felony convictions in Madison County, Tennessee, for Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Burglary in December 2013 and for Theft over $1,000 and Aggravated Burglary in August 2015. He was sentenced to thirteen (13) years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. He must serve 85% of that sentence before he becomes eligible for parole. Once released, he will have to spend one additional year on supervised release for failing to appear for his jury trial.
On April 6, 2026, John L Martin, III, age twenty-nine (29), of Jackson, Tennessee, pled guilty to being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm with a prior violent felony, Theft of a Firearm, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Fentanyl and Marijuana, and Resisting Arrest.
The offenses all occurred on February 7, 2025. Martin had a prior felony conviction in Madison County, Tennessee, for Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell and/or Deliver and Possession of a Firearm during Commission of a Dangerous Felony from July 2017. He received a five (5)-year sentence to serve in the Tennessee Department of Correction. He must serve 85% of that sentence before he becomes eligible for parole.
“We are committed to holding repeat offenders accountable and protecting public safety in the 26th Judicial District,” said District Attorney General Jody Pickens. “These cases reflect continued enforcement efforts against individuals with prior felony convictions who commit new offenses. We will continue to pursue appropriate sentences to reduce recidivism and enhance community safety. As you can see, each of these individuals had previously been convicted of felony offenses. Instead of learning from their past mistakes and leading a productive healthy lifestyle after completing their previous sentences, they chose to return to their old ways and continue to commit major crimes.”
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