Jesse James Kinder pleads no contest to amended drug charge, sentenced to three years concurrent with federal term

Jesse James Kinder pleaded no contest to an amended charge of conspiracy to possess a Schedule I drug with intent to sell and was sentenced to three years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections to be served concurrently with his federal sentence, the court announced.

At a plea hearing, the court advised Kinder of his rights and accepted the no-contest plea under the agreement presented by defense counsel and the state. The prosecutor summarized the evidence the state would present at trial: that on April 7, 2016, officers found approximately $13,638, about 7 grams of marijuana, and a gram and a half of heroin; a notebook containing notes about amounts and money; multiple cell phones with pictures of drugs and cash; and that Kinder gave contradictory accounts about the money. The prosecutor said this would be the state's proof if the case went to trial. Kinder acknowledged the state's proffer and consented to the plea.

The court entered a judgment finding Kinder guilty on the amended count, sentenced him to three years and ordered the sentence to run concurrently with any federal sentence; the judge also ordered forfeiture of any interest Kinder had in property seized by the drug task force and dismissed counts 1 and 2 as part of the agreement. The court further ordered that allowable costs be waived and that Kinder receive credit for pre-sentence jail time.

Defense counsel noted there had been communication difficulties during the case but said counsel had reviewed the plea agreement with the defendant. The court accepted the plea, found facts sufficient to support the plea based on the state's proffer and entered the judgment.

Direct quotes on the record included the prosecutor's summary of the state's evidence and the judge's announcement of the sentence.