A Michigan Democrat who serves as the state’s Democratic vice chairman of the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee, threatened state police that he would alert Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D), adding that he ran the state’s police budget, before he was charged with driving drunk and resisting police officers.
On April 6, Rep. Jewell Jones, who is serving his third term as a state legislator and the youngest-ever representative elected to serve in the state House, was reportedly driving his Chevy Tahoe and weaving in and out of lanes, then rolled into a ditch, The Detroit News reported.
“For almost 50 miles, witnesses reported, the vehicle with the vanity plate ‘ELECTED’ was driving so recklessly earlier this month that at least one person saw the car go the wrong way before it rolled into a ditch,” The Washington Post added.
Two state troopers arrived and said Jones “was combative and attempted to flash a badge at police instead of his identification.”
The police report asserted that when troopers asked Jones again for an ID, he shook his arms “as if he were about to do something.” Jones was taken to the ground where a stun gun was utilized as well as pepper spray in order for handcuffs to be applied. The cupholder of the Tahoe held a loaded Glock, the report alleged.
The police report stated that during the altercation, Jones snapped at the troopers, “I don’t give a f*** bro, when I call Gretchen (I’ll) need [y’all] ID’s badge numbers everything,” adding, “It’s not going to be good for you, I run y’all budget, bro.”
“Because Jones refused to take a breathalyzer test at the scene, police obtained a warrant to draw his blood before his release the following day,” The Post noted. Jones, whose blood alcohol content was 0.19 in a state where the legal driving limit is 0.08, was ultimately charged with four counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer; operating a vehicle with a high blood alcohol content; operating while intoxicated; reckless driving; and possession of a weapon while under the influence of alcohol.
Five days after the incident, Jones wrote on Facebook, “This last week has literally been the craziest week I’ve ever had in my [life] as a civilian, but as a Spiritual Israelite, I know that the Great and Mighty God of Israel can open doors that no man can close and can close doors that no man can open. I am fully aware that even when we must walk through the fire, we shall not be burned; and though we walk through the rivers, they shall not overflow us.”
In July 2018, Jones, who was the youngest member ever to hold a position on the Inkster City Council when he was elected in 2015, was charged with a misdemeanor for driving with open intoxicants. That charge was later dismissed.