“It’s No Secret,” Criminals Released Under Soft On Crime Approach Allowing Tennessee Criminal Mill To Continue

Image Credit: Metro Nashville Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office & Canva

The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –

Tennessee’s city centers continue to be plagued by repeat offenders as both violent and career criminals are released out onto the streets, largely in the name of mental competency.

Man Allegedly Attacks Amazon Driver

34-year-old Carl Hamilton had already been arrested multiple times, for criminal trespassing, public intoxication, and drug paraphernalia at an apartment complex off President Ronald Reagan Way in Nashville that he does not reside at. 

However, these charges were all dropped the day before he was accused of attacking an Amazon delivery driver last week at the same apartment complex and Hamilton is now being charged with aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping and robbery.

According to Metro Nashville Police, an Amazon delivery driver was working in the mailroom at the apartments when Hamilton pushed her into the room, shut the door and went on to rape the woman before forcing her to withdraw $100 from her bank account.

Hamilton seems to be a prime candidate for the reigning poster child of recidivism in Tennessee.

The Nashville man has been arrested and charged over 90 times in the last 14 years, being released back out into the public again and again. 

Just two years ago, Hamilton pleaded guilty to kidnapping a woman at another Nashville apartment complex back in 2020. He had already stolen from the location and was not supposed to be on the property.

Hamilton’s victim recounts the egregious manner in which he followed her and her dog through the complex parking garage, placed his hand on her mouth forcing her to drop her dog and proceeded to tell her he would hurt her if she didn’t stop screaming.

Finally, a neighbor helped the woman escape and Hamilton left with his victim’s phone, eventually pleading guilty to all charges.

The kicker? Hamilton only had to serve 30% of his six-year sentence and was released in October of last year. 

Prior to sentencing, Hamilton was evaluated for mental competency and doctors found that he was capable of helping with his defense, but this year Hamilton’s case was moved to Judge Melissa Blackburn’s Mental Health court where he was found mentally incompetent and his charges were dismissed.

Currently, state law allows individuals found not competent to stand trial to simply return home without treatment or being held liable for their crimes.

This is set to change on July 1^st of this year because of a bill passed during Tennessee’s 2024 legislative session that requires those found incompetent to receive inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Legislation That Closes Loophole For Repeat Offenders Awaits Governor Lee’s Signature

New law will also prohibit these individuals from owning guns and if they are deemed to have regained competency through treatment, their criminal case will resume, and they will face their charges.

But Hamilton isn’t the only repeat offender to make headlines over the last couple weeks.

Man Attempts Kidnapping of Teen Girl

26-year-old, Jamien Taylor, was released from jail last week on a $3,000 bond for charges of false imprisonment and assault. 

According to police, he is accused of following a woman into an elevator near Nashville’s Public Square Park and “making unwanted sexual advances towards her.” 

Taylor was identified by surveillance video and detectives found additional footage of Taylor following multiple other women.

Within days of his release, Taylor attempted to kidnap a 15-year-old student of MLK Jr. Magnet School in Nashville as she got off a school bus on Friday.

The teenage girl reportedly began running and Metro Nashville Police say Taylor pursued the girl until she made it into the school building where she was able to tell other adults.

Taylor has yet again been arrested by law enforcement and has admitted to chasing the girl. He is charged with attempted kidnapping and assault.

“The safety of our community should be a real consideration in the setting of bonds and pre-trail release conditions,” Metro Police Chief John Drake said afterwards. “That should involve weighing the nature of offenses and the specific details alleged in arrest warrant affidavits. It’s no secret that our officers are dealing with the same people time and again.” 

The criminal’s new bond is set at $75,000 but a source hearing is still required before he can be considered for release. 

Man Accused of Jewish School Shooting Released on Bond

In July of last year, 33-year-old Joel Bowman made headlines for being the “would-be school shooter” of PreK-12 school Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South in Memphis. 

A former student of the school and Jewish himself, Bowman fired two shots at a contract worker outside of the school and then fired two more shots as he fled the scene before being stopped and shot by police.

Bowman is charged with second-degree murder, possessing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, carrying a weapon on school property, reckless endangerment, and assault on a first responder.  

As of April 30^th, Bowman posted a $100,000 bond, lowered from $1 million only the day before.

About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. 

You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.