Murder, drug investigation keeps Elgin man in Iraq

An Elgin man working as a contractor in Iraq reportedly isn't being allowed to leave the country as a result of an investigation stemming from a murder case.

Jason Jones was held for more than a month, much of it under U.S. jurisdiction at the Camp Cropper military prison in Baghdad, after being arrested with four other U.S. citizens following the murder of Halliburton contractor James Kitterman.

They were all cleared by the Iraqi government, but Jones and fellow contractor Micah Milligan of Corporate Training Unlimited were detained and reportedly accused of being involved with illegal drugs and counterfeit license plates.

They have denied the charges and refused to sign admissions of guilt, but thus far the wheels of justice have been grinding slowly.

"The big issue that we've had is they have not been charged with anything, but they served 44 days in jail," said his wife, Stacey Jones, who emphasized her husband's innocence.

Jones and Milligan were released from custody over the weekend, but they have not been allowed to leave the country.

Working on behalf of Corporate Training Unlimited, Philadelphia attorney Thomas Suddath and former U.S. Gen. Tim Haake have been maneuvering stateside to get the two men freed, while Jones has paid for their Iraqi attorney. Yet, thus far, they've been caught in a bind between the Iraqi court system, the U.S. military and the FBI, which has also been involved.

"Just getting somebody to sign their name to a piece of paper could take 10 days," Stacey Jones said.

Suddath declined to comment extensively on the case, feeling that a quieter approach would be more diplomatic and get better results. "We're pleased that they've been released," he said, "and we look forward to working to get the matter resolved."

Stacey Jones has also tried to get her congressman, 14th District Democrat Bill Foster of Batavia, involved. "They've contacted our office," said Shannon O'Brien, Foster's communications director, "and we're trying to look into it to see if there's anything we can do."

Stacey Jones said she spoke to her husband this week, and they've presented all necessary paperwork to an Iraqi judge and expect a final decision in 10 to 15 days on whether they're free to go. "But the way things work over there, they could extend that," she said.

Jason Jones has worked for years as a contractor in Iraq, the last year and a half as the owner of his own company. He typically spends six weeks there, then six weeks home in Elgin, his wife said.

Yet, he lost jobs doing pesticide work and a labor contract while in jail. Stacey Jones said his wallet, computer and other possessions were lost or stolen, supposedly after they should have been impounded as any sort of evidence, and his credit cards were used.

"Any kind of evidence that anyone would have at this point is absolutely ridiculous," she said. "He was never Mirandized. He's been in jail 44 days. His ID was stolen. Somebody still has his computer with all our personal information on it. It's such a botched case it's almost laughable."

At this point, she said, she just wants it resolved so that he can come home.