A stunned silence fell over the courtroom as the handcuffs clicked shut on a man who once wore a judge’s robe. James Kenny, a 75-year-old retired judge and practicing attorney, now stands accused of trading contraband for sexual favors inside the very jail where he once held authority. The allegations, detailed in a criminal complaint filed by the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, paint a disturbing picture of a legal professional abusing his credentials for illicit encounters.
The investigation began earlier this month when deputies at the Clermont County Jail noticed an unusual amount of contraband circulating among inmates. Full cans of chewing tobacco and vape pens, items strictly prohibited within the facility, were discovered during a routine search. Detectives launched a probe, reviewing surveillance footage and monitoring jail phone calls, which led them to an unexpected suspect: James Kenny.
Sheriff Chris Stratton described the case as unprecedented in his 33 years of service. “This is the first time in Clermont County that I’m aware of it,” he said in an exclusive interview. The sheriff revealed that Kenny used his status as an attorney to gain access to the jail for contact visits, which are typically reserved for lawyers, clergy, and mental health professionals.
These visits are private, with no audio recording, to protect attorney-client privilege.
Surveillance video captured Kenny entering a secure area of the jail on July 29th. He walked through a door reserved for attorneys, opened an interview room, and went inside. The footage shows him emerging sometime later, lingering in the hallway for over a minute before leaving.
Days later, on August 4th, Kenny returned to the same jail, entering the same interview room with a male inmate.
The inmate, described as a friend by Kenny, opened the door first. The two shook hands before parting ways. The criminal complaint states that during these visits, Kenny provided the inmate with cans of chewing tobacco and vape pens.
In exchange, he engaged in sexual acts with the inmate, who was not his client. Kenny admitted to the acts during a subsequent interview with detectives.
“He represented himself as an attorney to obtain contact visits,” Sheriff Stratton explained. “He was not representing the inmate in any pending criminal case.” The sheriff emphasized the security risks posed by such actions.
“Tobacco is a valuable commodity in jails. It creates a pattern that could lead to inmates extorting visitors for more dangerous items like drugs or weapons.”
The investigation took a critical turn when deputies executed a search warrant at Kenny’s residence. Evidence collected there, combined with his admissions, led to his arrest. Body camera footage shows deputies approaching Kenny at his home, informing him of the warrant.
“You’re being charged with one count of engaging in prostitution, one count of solic