Guilty Verdict in Coffee Shop Pepper Spray Rampage

On January 16, 2025, in Department 6 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, TCDA prosecutors secured a guilty verdict against James Edward Jackson, age 70, for unleashing pepper spray on employees and customers at a Visalia Starbucks.

Around 11 am on July 12, 2024, an agitated Jackson entered a Starbucks store on Mooney Boulevard in Visalia. After pacing back and forth, he ordered a sandwich. As employees prepared the order, Jackson became aggressive, demanding that they work faster. Without warning, Jackson produced a can of pepper spray and discharged a large amount, the effects of which were immediately felt by employees and customers – uncontrollable coughing, skin and eye irritation, and other respiratory issues, some of which lasted for days after.  

When police and fire personnel arrived, Jackson was contacted outside the store holding a can of pepper spray. Two additional cans were found on his person during a search. Throughout the arrest and booking, Jackson was combative and delayed police and medical personnel for numerous hours.

At trial, Jackson was convicted of felony use of tear gas and two counts of obstructing a peace officer. Jackson possesses a prior 2001 strike for assault. Sentencing is scheduled for March 12, 2025, where Jackson faces up to 6 years in state prison.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Max Warren and was investigated by the Visalia Police Department.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Communications Director Stuart Anderson (559) 636-5494