LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The man appointed to chair Arkansas’ parole board by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders was fired from an area police division a number of years in the past after mendacity to investigators about having intercourse with a minor, paperwork launched by the division present.
Jamol Jones, who Sanders named the board’s chair final week, was fired from the Benton Police Department in 2018 for mendacity to investigators about whether or not he had intercourse with a 17-year-old woman, based on his personnel file launched in response to a Freedom of Information Act request. The paperwork had been first reported Thursday night time by Little Rock tv station KATV.
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Jones lied twice to legal investigators wanting into the connection, and he initially informed them he had solely talked with the woman. Prosecutors did not pursue any costs towards Jones, however he was fired for violating the division’s code of ethics by mendacity to investigators, the paperwork present.
According to the paperwork, Jones informed an inner affairs investigator that he didn’t know the woman’s age however he acknowledged he “should have picked up on some clues” together with Snapchat messages the place she talked about going to lessons all day.
A spokeswoman for Sanders didn’t say whether or not the governor or her workplace knew in regards to the investigation into Jones earlier than she appointed him, or whether or not Sanders believed he ought to nonetheless function parole board chair.
AR parole board chair claims he didn’t know the age of the woman in query.
“Jamol bravely served our nation in the Army and protected his community as a police officer providing him with the experience and knowledge to serve on the Post-Prison Transfer Board and the Board of Corrections,” spokeswoman Alexa Henning stated in an e mail.
Sanders final week stated Jones’ “prior law enforcement experience makes him a clear choice to take on this important role.” His appointment chairing the seven-member panel expires Jan. 14, 2030.
Jones is an Army veteran who additionally served as a corporal assigned to patrol at coaching divisions on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Jones didn’t say whether or not he had mentioned the investigation and his firing with the governor’s workplace earlier than the appointment.
“I did not break any laws, no charges were filed, but I made a mistake I’ve asked God and my families forgiveness for, and I take full responsibility for my actions,” Jones stated in an e mail. “I am proud of my service to our country and our state, and the support of my wife and family.”
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As parole board chairman, Jones additionally serves as a member of the state Board of Corrections. The revelations about his firing come as Sanders and the panel have been in an escalating combat over who controls the state’s jail system.
A state choose has blocked a regulation Sanders signed final 12 months that took away the board’s means to rent and fireplace the secretary of corrections. Following that ruling, the board fired Sanders’ appointee to the submit.
