WE ARE DUNN WITH DUNN: Jimmy Dunn Rescinds Retirement After Felony Indictment

Jimmy Dunn announced he would retire as Tennessee's Fourth Judicial District Attorney General. Days before his planned departure, he was indicted on multiple felony charges. Now, Dunn has reversed course and remains in office.

SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE — The leadership of Tennessee's Fourth Judicial District Attorney General's Office took another unexpected turn on August 31, 2026.

District Attorney General James "Jimmy" Dunn, who announced in July that he would retire effective August 31, has now rescinded that retirement. A spokesperson for Governor Bill Lee's office confirmed to WVLT that Dunn informed the Governor's office he no longer intends to retire. As a result, the Governor's office says there is currently no vacancy for Governor Lee to fill. 

For residents of Sevier, Cocke, Jefferson and Grainger Counties, the announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty surrounding who would lead one of the most powerful offices in the Fourth Judicial District.

For the No For Newcomb campaign, our message is simple:

WE ARE DUNN WITH DUNN.

Dunn Announces His Retirement

On July 10, 2026, the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference announced that Dunn planned to retire effective August 31, 2026, concluding more than 20 years as the elected District Attorney General and nearly four decades working within the Fourth Judicial District Attorney General's Office.

Dunn was first elected District Attorney General in 2006 and subsequently reelected in 2014 and 2022. His current eight-year term was not scheduled to expire until 2030, meaning his announced retirement would have ended his term approximately four years early.

At the time, Dunn publicly described his decision as retirement. In a July interview with WVLT, Dunn discussed leaving the office after nearly 37 years and preparing for the next chapter of his life.

That retirement never happened.

August 27: Dunn Is Arrested on Multiple Felony Charges

Just four days before his announced retirement date, Dunn was booked into the Sevier County Jail on August 27 following a Sevier County Grand Jury presentment.

WVLT reported that Dunn faces charges including official misconduct, official oppression, retaliation for past action against a witness, conspiracy to commit official oppression, coercion of a witness and civil-rights intimidation. 

The allegations concern the May 1, 2023 arrest and detention of Erik Cooper. According to reporting on the indictment, prosecutors allege that Dunn and Assistant District Attorney General William Brownlow Marsh conspired to arrange a premature and unlawful arrest immediately after Cooper exited a grand jury proceeding.

These charges are criminal accusations, not convictions. Dunn and Marsh are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

August 31: Dunn Changes Course

With August 31 expected to mark Dunn's final day as District Attorney General, another announcement came instead.

Dunn wasn't retiring.

Governor Bill Lee's office told WVLT:

"General Dunn informed our office that he no longer intends to retire."

Because Dunn withdrew his retirement, the Governor's office said there is presently no vacancy for Governor Lee to fill. 

That means the elected prosecutor who announced his retirement in July and was subsequently indicted on multiple felony charges remains District Attorney General for Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier Counties while the criminal case proceeds.

Retiring. Indicted. Retirement Rescinded.

The sequence deserves the public's attention:

• July 10: Jimmy Dunn announces he will retire August 31.

• August 26: A Sevier County Grand Jury returns a presentment containing multiple criminal charges.

• August 27: Dunn is booked into the Sevier County Jail and later released.

• August 31: Governor Lee's office confirms Dunn has changed course and no longer intends to retire.

• September 1: Instead of beginning retirement, Dunn remains the elected District Attorney General.

WE ARE DUNN WITH DUNN

The District Attorney General holds extraordinary power. Prosecutors make decisions that can affect a person's freedom, reputation and future. The citizens who place that authority in their hands deserve transparency, integrity, accountability and confidence in the administration of justice.

The No For Newcomb campaign believes the Fourth Judicial District needs a new direction and new leadership.

We were prepared for the Dunn era to end August 31.

Instead, Dunn rescinded his retirement.

We are Dunn with Dunn.

And when the future leadership of this office is ultimately decided, replacing Jimmy Dunn with his longtime colleague Ron Newcomb is not the change we believe the Fourth Judicial District needs.

NO MORE OF THE SAME.

NO FOR NEWCOMB.

Related News Coverage

For readers who want to review independent reporting and source material surrounding these developments:

• Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference — Jimmy Dunn Announces Retirement — July 10 announcement confirming Dunn's planned August 31 retirement.

• WVLT — Jimmy Dunn Stepping Down After 20 Years — July interview discussing Dunn's planned departure.

• WVLT — Dunn and Marsh Accused in Sevier County Arrest Case — reporting on the allegations and charges contained in the grand jury presentment.

• WVLT — Jimmy Dunn Walks Back Retirement After Indictment — August 31 report confirming Dunn no longer intends to retire and that there is currently no vacancy for Governor Lee to fill.

Follow the Story

The situation surrounding the Fourth Judicial District Attorney General's Office continues to develop.

Visit NoForNewcomb.com for campaign updates, timelines, court filings, public records and information concerning the leadership of the Fourth Judicial District.

WE ARE DUNN WITH DUNN.

🚫 AND WE STILL SAY NO FOR NEWCOMB. 🚫