By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — State Rep. Jewell Jones, 26, (D-11th District) pleaded guilty Feb. 16 on multiple charges relating to an April 6, 2021, drunken driving arrest.
He was charged with were two counts of resisting and obstructing police, reckless driving, escape of lawful custody, operating while intoxicated and possession of a weapon while intoxicated.
His plea agreement was brought back by the Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office after a request from Jones’ attorney, Byron Nolen. The same agreement was rejected by Jones when it initially was offered to him in November.
Jones could face probation or jail time depending on his sentencing, which is scheduled to take place March 17 in Livingston County.
On Feb. 14, Jones posted the two apology letters he was required to write as part of his plea agreement on his Instagram page. The letters were addressed to Michigan State Police Troopers James Gilmer and Kenneth Harden.
“I’d sincerely like to apologize for my inflammatory language on April 6, 2021, and actions,” Jones said in one of the letters. “The mark of a great man is one who knows when to set aside the important things to accomplish the vital ones. For that very reason, I’d rather work with you and other members of our law enforcement community to foster an environment which is safe and beneficial for all, instead of feuding with you and others.”
The entire case stems from the April 6 incident in Fowlerville where Jones’ vehicle was seen driving erratically on I-96 before leaving the road and coming to a stop in a ditch.
A news release from Livingston County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Carolyn Henry said Jones’ blood-alcohol-level was 0.17 at the time of his arrest, more than twice the .08 limit for legally drunk in Michigan.
State Police officers said that when they arrived, Jones’ pants were undone and he was aiding a vomiting woman who was wearing no pants. Jones reportedly was uncooperative with responding officers and showed police badges instead of identification.
A tether was ordered after Jones pleaded guilty June 24 to leaving military training without notifying court officials or his attorney.
Jones attempted to tamper with the tether Sept. 6 by putting a sock underneath the tether, Livingston County Assistant Prosecutor Christina Richards said.
Jones, jailed following his third bond violation, attempted to sneak a universal handcuff key into jail following his bond revocation hearing Sept. 14. It allegedly was found taped to the bottom of his foot during a routine search when he began his incarceration.
The key was found after Jones was taken into custody following his bond revocation hearing where Jones pleaded guilty of violating the conditions of his release for a third time following the April 6 drunken driving arrest.
A Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office motion for bond revocation stated that Jones tested positive for alcohol three times on Sept. 3. His alcohol tether recorded a transdermal blood alcohol concentration level of .023 at 12:59 p.m., .023 at 4:37 p.m., and .022 at 7:09 p.m., the motion said.
Following the bond violations, he was removed from his legislative committee assignments by House Speaker Jason Wentworth (R-97th District).
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)