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Sheriff: Michigan State Rep. Jewell Jones brought handcuffs key into jail with him

Jones facing more legal trouble while behind bars

Michigan State Rep. Jewell Jones (D-Inkster) brought a handcuffs key with him into jail this week, according to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.

Jones was taken into custody Tuesday after violating his bond a third time. He is facing drunk driving criminal charges in a widely publicized arrest on I-96 that happened earlier this year. He was sent to jail this week after officials said he drank alcohol and tampered with his tether.

“This defendant’s actions from his conduct during the charged crimes, through each other three bond violations show that he believes that as a person who writes our laws, that he is above our laws. There is also a very strong public perception that the defendant is getting special treatment because of his position,” assistant prosecutor Christina Jones said in court Tuesday.

2 new felony charges

Now Jones is facing even more legal trouble after the Sheriff’s Office said the handcuffs key was found with him in the Livingston County Jail during his intake procedure. He was arraigned on two new charges Wednesday afternoon -- a four-year felony and a five-year felony alleging he brought a weapon, in this case a key, into jail in an effort to escape custody. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf by his attorney. Bond was set at $100,000 cash or surety.

Livingston County Sheriff Michael Murphy called Jones “an embarrassment to all elected officials” in a statement released Wednesday afternoon.

“This guy is a real piece of work, and an embarrassment to all elected officials, and I believe he thinks somehow the laws do not apply to him,” reads the Sheriff’s statement. “More than that, I am mad. Had the handcuff key ended in an injury to my staff or another inmate I am not sure what I would have done, as my primary responsibility is the safety and security of my staff and inmates.”

Jones, 26, was elected to represent Michigan’s 11th state house district in 2016, then again in 2018 and 2020. His district represents Inkster and parts of Garden City, Westland, Livonia and Dearborn Heights.

Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones in court on June 30, 2021. (WDIV)

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About the Authors
Shawn Ley headshot

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.

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