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Inkster Rep. Jewell Jones faces resisting officer, drunk driving, and weapons charges

By Jack Nissen
Updated  April 16, 2021 7:42pm EDT
Inkster
FOX 2 Detroit

DETROIT - An Inkster lawmaker who was arrested on the interstate in Metro Detroit last week is facing several charges after he was spotted driving erratically on the shoulder of I-96.

Rep. Jewell Jones, (D-Inkster), was taken into custody by Michigan State Police in Livingston County on April 6. On Friday he was arraigned via a Zoom conference.

State Rep. Jewell Jones accused of driving drunk twice the legal limit

Rep. Jewell Jones' impaired driving is alleged to have spanned from Southfield to Fowlerville, where his SUV was found in a ditch off I-96.

It is alleged that Jones drove drunk, more than twice the legal limit for at least 50 miles with his Glock pistol in the cupholder. And when he eventually crashed his SUV he allegedly became combative with police and even a paramedic who tried to help. 

Jones' impaired driving is alleged to have spanned from Southfield to Fowlerville, where his SUV was found in a ditch off I-96, said the Livingston County Prosecutor's Office.

FOX 2 received a release from Jones' attorney that said: State Rep. Jewell Jones is presumed innocent and remains so, unless he is proven guilty.

A release from the Livingston County Prosecutor says the lawmaker will be charged with four counts of resisting and obstructing an officer, operating a mobile vehicle with a high blood alcohol content level, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, reckless driving, and possession of a weapon while under the influence of alcohol.

The 26-year-old represents the 11th District, which includes Garden City and Inkster, as well as portions of Dearborn Heights, Livonia, and Westland.

Michigan State Rep. Jewell Jones

Jones was first arrested after Michigan State Police responded to a crash late Tuesday night last week on I-96.

RELATED: Michigan State Rep. Jewell Jones arrested for felony, misdemeanor charges

Jones faces at least a couple of years in jail for the charges. That includes:

  • Two years in prison for each count of resisting and obstructing an officer
  • 180 days for operating with a high blood alcohol content 
  • 93 days for operating a vehicle while intoxicated
  • 93 days for possession of a weapon while under the influence of alcohol
  • 93 days for reckless driving

The case has been assigned to the 53th District Court for a probable cause conference. 

Jones is serving his third term in the Michigan House. He's also a member of the National Guard.