An embattled Michigan lawmaker was removed from his committee assignments Thursday after authorities said they caught him with a handcuff key while booking him into jail for a bond violation.
State Rep. Jewell Jones, a Democrat representing a district just outside Detroit, was changing into jail clothes Tuesday when deputies found a metal key taped to the bottom of his foot, authorities said. It remains unclear how and why he was able to get a handcuff key.
Jones, 26, was at the Livingston County jail to face his third bond violation charge since he was accused of drunk driving during a crash in April.
“This guy is a piece of work. He truly believes that he doesn’t have to follow the judge’s orders, doesn’t have to follow rules,” Livingston County Sheriff Michael Murphy told the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus. “He’s the reason that politicians and elected officials get the bad rap.”
The third-term lawmaker now faces additional felony charges for his alleged attempt to bring contraband into his cell. He appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty.
House Speaker Jason Wentworth, a Republican, said the key incident was a “new low” for his accused drunk-driving colleague.
Jones’ legal troubles began after he crashed his SUV on Interstate 96 and tried to resist arrest in a shocking encounter captured on a police dashboard camera.
When state troopers arrived at the crash scene, the suspect had his pants partially down and was holding up a half-naked woman on the passenger side of his vehicle, according to a report obtained by local media. The woman, who had vomited and appeared to be unresponsive, was placed into an ambulance as cops tried to arrest Jones, authorities said.
The dashcam video shows the young politician trying to use his position to avoid arrest, telling police he was going to call Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
“I run you all’s budget, bro,” he was heard saying. “When I call Gretchen, I’ll need y’all IDs and badge numbers, everything.”
Jones was taken into custody after being knocked to the ground, pepper-sprayed and tased.
