Additional People Sentenced For Election Fraud

Three people, including a former constable, have been sentenced for crimes stemming from a 2022 election fraud scheme in Monroe County.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced the sentencings on Tuesday in a news release.

Coleman said Kentucky’s election laws are strong, and our elections are secure. He said every Kentucky voter can rest assured that suspected fraud will be investigated.

Those sentenced recently included James “Darrell” Jackson, Mary Jackson and Leslie Jackson.

After the Attorney General’s Election Fraud Hotline received a tip regarding suspected election law violations in Monroe County, the Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations conducted an investigation, according to the news release.

A Monroe County Grand Jury returned a 40-count indictment, charging seven Monroe and Barren County residents for the election crimes.

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 James “Darrell” Jackson Monroe County Jailer during the 2022 primary election.

James “Darrell” Jackson, 60, of Tompkinsville, pleaded guilty to one count of Facilitation to Engaging in 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.

Mary Jackson, 24, of Tompkinsville, pleaded guilty to one count of Facilitation to Engaging in Organized Criminal Syndicate (Class D Felony), six counts of Making or Receiving Expenditures for Vote (Class D Felony) and one count of Forgery Second Degree (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to six years, suspended for a period of five years.

Leslie Jackson, 37, of Summer Shade, in Barren County, pleaded guilty to a single count of Wrongful Registration (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to one year, suspended for a period of five years.

In July 2023, 67 year-old Bonnie McClendon, of Tompkinsville, pleaded guilty to one count of Perjury First Degree (Class D Felony) and two counts of Making or Receiving Expenditures for Vote (Class D Felony). A Pretrial Diversion for a period of five years was imposed.

Tommy McClendon, 71, of Tompkinsville also pleaded guilty in July on four counts of Making or Receiving Expenditures for Vote (Class D Felony). A Pretrial Diversion for a period of five years was imposed.

In November 2023, 35 year-old Lisa Jackson, of Mount Hermon, pleaded guilty to one count of Facilitation of Engaging in Organized Crime (Class D Felony), one count of Persistent Felony Offender Second Degree (Felony Enhancement) and 17 counts of Making or Receiving Expenditures for Vote (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to 12 years.

In December 2023, 48 year-old Sherrye Jackson, of Tompkinsville, pleaded guilty to one count of Facilitation to Engaging in Organized Crime (Class D Felony) and one count of Perjury First Degree (Class D Felony). A Pretrial Diversion for a period of five years was imposed.

The Department of Criminal Investigations investigated and the Special Prosecutions Division investigated and prosecuted this case on behalf of the Commonwealth.
Source: WBKO