CRIME

3 Jacksonians indicted in sweeping 'Bluff City Blues' operation in Shelby, Madison counties

Three Jackson men face charges of illegally possessing firearms as felons after a sweeping August operation in Madison and Shelby counties targeting individuals with outstanding state and federal warrants.

Officials announced the first wave of Jackson indictments Monday. The two-week operation, dubbed "Bluff City Blues," netted 214 arrests for everything from homicide and drug distribution to robbery and assault.

Six firearms were seized from the three men, accounting for more than one-fifth of the 28 firearms authorities recovered in the entire operation. Of the 214 people arrested during the operation, 36 are from Jackson.

Officers found Isaac Caprice Williamson, 25, in possession of a Glock 30 .45-caliber handgun during a traffic stop Aug. 20, according to the indictment. Williamson has been convicted of multiple felony offenses in Madison County, according to a news release from the office of United States Attorney Mike Dunavant. Williamson was charged with one count of being a prohibited felon in possession of a firearm. 

Authorities recovered a pistol and a shotgun from the Jackson home of Reginald Dontae Williamson Jr. during the execution of a state search warrant Aug. 20. Reginald Williamson also has multiple prior felony convictions in Madison County and is charged with two counts of illegal possession of a firearm as a felon.

Reggie Carnell James Jr., 25, also has a record of multiple felony convictions in Madison County, and authorities found three firearms in his vehicle during a search in Jackson on Aug. 20. The firearms included two semi-automatic handguns and a revolver. He faces three counts of illegal possession of a firearm as a felon.

If convicted, each could face up to 10 years in prison for each count.

United States District Attorney D. Michael Dunavant speaks during a news conference to discuss the "Bluff City Blues" operation Aug. 26.

All individuals arrested during the Bluff City Blues operation were taken into custody without incident. No injuries were reported throughout the operation.

Over the entirety of the operation, officials also recovered four stolen vehicles, $17,240 in cash and nearly 772 grams of cocaine, heroin, crack and marijuana, according to a news release.

The U.S. Marshals Service, United States Attorney's Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, United States Probation Service, District Attorney's Office (Shelby and Madison County), Memphis Police Department, Jackson Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Madison County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee Department of Correction and Tennessee Highway Patrol (Jackson and Memphis offices) participated in the operation.

Reach Cassandra Stephenson at ckstephens@jacksonsun.com or at (731) 694-7261. Follow her on Twitter at @CStephenson731.