Ouster suit against District Attorney Agee dismissed

GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. – A petition calling for the ouster and temporary suspension of 28th Judicial District Attorney Frederick Agee was dismissed in Gibson County Chancery Court on Friday.

Jacob Hopper filed a petition against DA Agree and alleged acts of misconduct, oppression, and neglect of duty. The allegations stem from a case where Hopper was arrested, spent 18 months in jail, and later found not guilty of theft.

An ouster petition filed by Jacob Hopper against DA Frederick Agee was dismissed in Gibson County (WBBJ-TV)

During the hearing, Hopper alleged “they arrested me for theft while they were committing theft.” The defense filed a motion to dismissed based on a variety of reasons, including jurisdiction.

Jacob Hopper represented himself in the petition against DA Agee (WBBJ-TV)

Judge Michael Mansfield approved the petition to dismiss with prejudice and ordered court costs to be paid by Hopper. Judge Mansfield addressed Hopper and said he knew Hopper would not agree with him, but “this court doesn’t have subject matter jurisdiction in order to hear an ouster hearing against a district attorney.”

Mansfield dismissed the petition and also ordered that all other motions filed in the court pertaining to this case would automatically be dismissed.

“This is a final order,” said Mansfield.

Hopper released the following statement to WBBJ after the court’s ruling:

“Today’s hearing was another step toward accountability. The Court ruled that certain constitutional protections don’t fall within Chancery’s jurisdiction, but I believe the Ouster law was written so no public office can stand beyond review.

Earlier this year, Senate Resolution 120 passed the Tennessee Senate to call for stronger oversight of district attorneys. That shows this issue isn’t just mine — it’s part of a larger movement for fairness and transparency in our justice system.

For years, the Ouster Act has been used to hold prosecutors accountable, and I object to this case being dismissed on jurisdiction alone. Tennessee Code § 8-47-123 exists to keep these cases from being thrown out on technicalities.

Whether today’s ruling went against public interest or not, it strengthened the record and moved the fight forward. The evidence speaks for itself, the truths not going to change because it’s been side stepped twice — and the public deserves a process that doesn’t hide behind procedure. Never has any claim I’ve raised been disputed outside an attack on my character and further corruption. 

My goal has never changed nor will it: to bring honesty, fairness, and accountability back to a system that’s supposed to serve the people”

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