A Michigan state representative openly touted his relationship with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Mich., to threaten officers who were arresting him on a drunk-driving charge, police dashboard camera video shows.
Democrat State Rep. Jewell Jones was arrested April 6 on charges of drunk driving, resisting arrest, and possession of a firearm while intoxicated, the Daily Caller reported Sunday night.
The police video caught Jones, 26, threatening to “call Gov. Whitmer right now.”
At another point, Jones can be heard saying: “let me get up. I’m a state rep.”
Jones was tackled to the ground by Michigan State troopers after repeatedly refusing to provide his driver’s license. Told to stop resisting, the state lawmaker said to troopers, “it’s not going to be good for you.”
Police reported it took two uses of a Taser and pepper spray to subdue Jones.
“I’ll call Gretchen. I need your IDs, badge numbers, everything,” Jones said. “I work with the police. You’re not f*cking with me.
“I’m gonna tell Gretchen that y’all f***ing up … and I’m gonna get y’all desk duty, bro.”
Jones also told the troopers:”I run y’all budget, bro.”
Once seated in the back of a police vehicle, Jones refused an offer of medical attention. He then told an officer to call Michigan State Police Director Col. Joseph Gasper and tell him “who you have handcuffed, okay?”
“Wake his ass up,” said Jones, referring to Gasper.
According to the arrest report, obtained by Click On Detroit, Jones “appeared to be highly intoxicated.”
“There was a strong odor of intoxicants coming from him and his speech was slurred as he spoke,” the report said. “His eyes were red bloodshot and glassy and his fine motor skills were poor.”
Police originally arrived at the scene after reports of a crash on I-96 near Fowlerville. The troopers said they found Jones’ SUV — with the vanity license plate “ELECTED” — in a ditch.
Officers said they retrieved a loaded Glock handgun “sitting in the cup holder in the center console of the vehicle.”
Jones reportedly refused a blood test. But after a warrant was obtained, troopers said his blood alcohol level was found to be 0.19 — more than twice Michigan’s legal limit.
Jones’ attorney told NBC News that “anything [Jones] said regarding budgets and the governor was an attempt to stop [police] from using excessive force.”
The state lawmaker, who represents Inkster in Wayne County, faces charges including resisting and obstructing officers — a felony — driving with a high blood-alcohol content, reckless driving, and possessing a weapon while under the influence.
Whitmer last week was involved in other controversies after it was revealed she went to Florida to visit her father around the same time she was warning the public against taking trips to the Sunshine State.
Earlier in the month, a top Whitmer aide posted photos of family members at a Florida beach while COVID-19 cases continued to rise in Michigan.
Source: Newmax
