Trion man sentenced for putting razor blades in shopping carts

TRION, Ga. (WDEF) — A judge sentenced a Trion man to 20 years in prison for putting razor blades in shopping cart handles at a Walmart.

On October 2, Judge Graham sentenced 47-year-old Jessie James Stinnett to 20 years. His first 10 years will be served in prison without parole. The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney made the announcement on November 6.

Jurors convicted Stinnett of two counts of criminal damage to property in the first degree on August 23.

The trial then began on August 21 and resumed on August 22.

The jury watched two hours of security footage from Walmart. The company’s loss prevention officer and a Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office investigator testified in front of the jury as well.

Security footage showed that Stinnett went into the Trion Walmart on Highway 27 and committed the crimes on two occasions. Those were on December 31, 2022, and February 16, 2023.

The district attorney says Stinnett got a shopping cart and wandered around the Walmart for a while. However, he only grabbed a few items.

Stinnett also went to the hardware section and got a package of razor blades off a shelf. “While out of view of security cameras he then affixed one of the razor blades under the plastic cover of the shopping cart handle so that the blade would face downward,” the district attorney’s press release stated.

They say he then checked out and left the shopping carts at the front of the store, with the blades still attached.

Authorities say customers found the razor blades without injury both times.

After the second incident, loss prevention officer Jessica Guerra looked at hours of security footage to witness the incident.

“Guerra was able to illustrate for the jury the layout of the store and provide critical context for Stinnett’s movements within the hardware section where he selected the razor blades,” the district attorney’s press release stated.

They say that after the investigator watched the video, he identified Stinnett as the man in both incidents.

“I want to commend the diligent work of Ms. Guerra, Investigator Flood, and the prosecution team lead by Mr. Smith who ensured that this criminal would never hurt someone in our community,” said District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller.