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| Jewell Jones |
Jones was serving a 2-year probation sentence after pleading guilty to two felonies and a list of misdemeanors earlier this year in connection with an arrest for drunk driving April 6, 2021. That arrest escalated at the scene when Jones refused to provide identification and physically resisted and assaulted first responders attempting to provide medical help to his female passenger, according to police reports. His blood alcohol level was reported by police at more than twice the legal limit for intoxication.
He entered a guilty plea to charges including operating while intoxicated, reckless driving, resisting arrest, and being in possession of a firearm while intoxicated after initially declining a plea deal. The deal included prosecutors dropping the DUI charges.
In exchange for the plea, resisting arrest and DUI charges were dropped. Additionally, the deal allows the reduction of his felony charges to dismissals if he completes a youth sentencing program After three separate bond violations before his trial on the original charges, he was sentenced to jail where deputies found a handcuff key taped to the bottom of his foot during intake procedures. He was facing separate criminal charges in connection with that incident.
Last week he again entered a guilty plea to the probation violation at his hearing before Livingston County Circuit Court Chief Judge Michael Hatty. Jones was sentenced to another 30 days in jail which will be dismissed in exchange for Jones completing a 30-day substance abuse treatment program.
Jones' attorney, former Inkster mayor Byron Nolen, said the situation evolved as a result of the death of Jones' grandmother which prompted him to drink alcohol June 1. Jones then subsequently failed an alcohol screening the next day, Nolen said. Jones is presently enrolled in a separate substance abuse program and will transfer to the newly imposed program when that one is completed this week.
Jones, 25, at the time of his arrest, was eligible for the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act which allows young offenders to avoid a permanent criminal record if they successfully complete a probationary period. Nolen said Jones would be able to retain the youthful offender status if he successfully completed the substance abuse programs and subsequently have the felony convictions expunged.
Jones was facing the possibility of up to two years in prison for the recent probation violation, but Hatty said he felt Jones was on the right track.
“You're making things harder than what they need to be,” Hatty told Jones. “All you had to do was do what you're supposed to do in the beginning, follow the rules, and you wouldn't be here today.”
Hatty sentenced Jones to 30 days in jail, but allowed that time to be served at ShareHouse, a substance abuse treatment program. He was also ordered to write an essay about his experiences at ShareHouse and write letters of apology to the two Michigan State Troopers who were on the scene during his original arrest.
“In the event you leave there (ShareHouse), you march yourself right over to the Livingston County Jail,” Hatty said.
