A state lawmaker pleaded guilty Thursday in Livingston County Circuit Court to violating his probation from a drunk driving arrest last year near Fowlerville.
State Rep. Jewell Jones (D-Inkster) admitted to Judge Michael Hatty that he did consume alcohol on or about June 1, a violation of the terms of his two-year probation sentence handed down in March.
The conviction stemmed from an April 2021 incident along I-96 near Fowlerville after his SUV was spotted weaving in and out of traffic before ending up in a ditch. According to Michigan State Police, his blood alcohol content was 0.19, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08. Responding troopers say he struggled with them after the crash and allegedly threatened to call Gov. Whitmer, a fellow Democrat, and then stated he had oversight of the Michigan State Police budge
Jones’ attorney, Byron Nolen, said the violation stemmed from the death of his client’s grandmother and that he checked himself into the ShareHouse for a 29-day program as soon as he received the positive test result. That program is set to run through July 6.
While Judge Hatty sentenced Jones to 30 days in jail on the violation, he allowed for the sentence to run concurrent to his time at ShareHouse. He also ordered him to write an essay about what he’s learning at ShareHouse as well as apology letters to the two Michigan State Police troopers who were present when he was originally arrested last year.
