HARLAN, Ky (WYMT) - He allegedly gave a minor a tattoo without parental permission, now James Johnson is in jail facing second degree assault charges.

James Johnson says when he was arrested in Lexington over the weekend, he wasn't quite sure why.

"We were working on our vehicle, and state police had pulled up and said you have a warrant and they took me to jail," said Johnson from jail.

The warrants in Harlan County date back to last summer.

One is for possession of marijuana, and the other is for 2nd degree assault.

A complaint says Johnson used a tattoo gun to give a minor a tattoo without permission.

He says he remembers when this happened in his neighborhood, but he says he is not responsible.

He told Mountain News from jail that he does not even know how to give someone a tattoo.

He says the a 2nd degree assault charge for the alleged crime is a little harsh.

"Second degree assault, it said you had tattooed a 17 year old boy seems a little harsh. And a $10,000 bond that seems kind of steep," said Johnson.

Although Johnson denies giving someone a tattoo, he isn't denying the marijuana charge.

"It was my marijuana, yeah. Possession of marijuana, I had a couple of joints on me. I got caught, yeah. Man enough to admit it," said Johnson.

He says he is ready to go to court.

Johnson's bail is set at $10,000 for the assault charge and $2,000 for the marijuana charge.