Tennessee Man Charged With Felony for Camping as 300+ Cities Enforce Bans

Joseph Lamont Williams, 49, was arrested and charged with a felony for refusing to leave a Nashville public park where he had lived for years. He became one of the first homeless people in the country prosecuted under new camping ban laws sweeping the nation. Over 300 municipalities have adopted such bans since the Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that cities can prohibit sleeping and camping on public property.

How the camping bans spread

Eleven states have passed homeless camping ban laws over the last four years, according to the National Homelessness Law Center. In just two years since the Supreme Court decision, more than 300 municipalities joined them. Many state legislators borrowed language from the Cicero Institute, a conservative think tank founded by tech billionaire Joe Lonsdale, co-founder of Palantir. The bans vary by state but share the same core rule: no camping or sleeping on public property.

Williams’ case and the felony charge

When Williams refused to leave East Nashville’s South Inglewood Park, prosecutors charged him with felony camping. The maximum penalty for felony camping in Tennessee is six years in prison. Williams pleaded to a lesser charge and was released from jail after nine days. His friend John Lozier, a retired social worker, picked him up. Williams asked to be taken back to his spot in the park.

The debate over enforcement

Supporters of camping bans say they enable officials to enforce existing rules and incentivize unhoused people to seek shelter. But opponents call the laws cruel, arguing that an arrest record makes it harder for people experiencing homelessness to secure jobs or housing. Federal data shows chronic homelessness hit a record high of 155,750 individuals in January 2025, roughly double the 2016 low of 77,486, even as overall homelessness declined slightly.

What happens next for Williams

Williams was released after nine days in custody. He chose to return to the park rather than enter a shelter or hotel. His case signals a shift in how cities enforce homelessness laws, moving from warnings to felony charges. The outcome may set a precedent for how aggressively other municipalities prosecute camping violations.

Final Thoughts

Camping bans are spreading fast, but Williams’ case shows enforcement remains uneven. With chronic homelessness at record highs despite overall declines, the laws’ effectiveness in solving homelessness remains unclear.

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