Sheriff: Michigan lawmaker in jail had hidden handcuff key

HOWELL, Mich. (AP) - A Michigan lawmaker ordered to jail in a drunken driving case is accused of taping a handcuff key to his foot.

The key was discovered when state Rep. Jewell Jones, a Detroit-area Democrat, was placed in jail Tuesday for violating bond conditions, authorities said.

"He truly believes that he doesn't have to follow the judge's orders, doesn't have to follow rules,'ť said Livingston County Sheriff Michael Murphy, who runs the jail. 'œHe's the reason that politicians and elected officials get the bad rap.'ť

Jones, 26, returned to court Wednesday to face new charges over the key.

'œAllegations in this matter allege the defendant taping a handcuff key to the bottom of his foot with clear tape and was found by Livingston County corrections officers upon his incarceration,'ť assistant prosecutor Carolyn Henry said in a court filing.

Defense attorney Byron Nolan said Jewell 'œrealizes the seriousness of the allegations.'ť

The sheriff said he doesn't know why Jones had a handcuff key.

'œAt the end of the day, folks are handcuffed to and from a facility. If someone has a handcuff key, that's a bad day for us," Murphy told the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.

Jones has been in and out of court since April when he was charged with drunken driving, resisting police and other offenses. That case is pending.

Separately, Jones was removed from his House committee assignments Thursday. House Speaker Jason Wentworth, a Republican, said the latest allegations were a 'œnew low.'ť