Ex-sheriff gets prison for lying to federal agent

ST. LOUIS -- A federal judge on Friday sentenced former Clark County Sheriff Doug Jones to 60 days in prison for lying to a federal agent, saying his breach of public trust was too serious for mere probation.

Jones, 38, had faced up to five years in prison for making a false statement to an FBI agent investigating whether Jones engaged in sexual relations with a female prisoner.

Under a plea agreement reached in March, Jones resigned as sheriff of the northeast Missouri county and federal prosecutors dropped other charges of witness tampering.

"I'm giving you two months for you to understand the gravity of the abuse of public trust," U.S. District Judge Rodney Sippel told Jones on Friday. "Lying to the FBI is not something I can only give probation for."

According to an indictment issued last November, Jones traveled to St. Louis in October 2001 to take custody of a female inmate and drove her to the Clark County jail in Kahoka. At some point during the drive, Jones stopped the car and had sex with the inmate. The inmate told employees of the jail.

When the FBI began an investigation, Jones denied having sexual relations with the woman.

Defense attorney William Ekiss implored the judge on Friday to sentence Jones only to community service, arguing that putting him in prison would penalize the family he supports. Ekiss said his client was remorseful and that Jones' wife already had suffered public humiliation from his infidelity.

Sippel said Jones' abuse of public trust had undermined public confidence in law enforcement. He said the punishment would deter both Jones and others from betraying that trust.

Jones also was ordered to pay a $2,000 penalty, perform 240 hours of community service and be supervised for three years after his release. Sippel also ordered him to a drug and alcohol treatment program.

"I want you to return to the community some of the trust you took," Sippel said.

Jones opted not to comment, deferring to his attorney.

The woman with whom Jones allegedly had sexual relations sat in court to observe Friday's sentencing. She declined to comment afterward.

Jones was a former truck driver and factory worker with no law enforcement or political experience when he ran for sheriff in the August 2000 Democratic primary, beating the incumbent by six votes. He won easily in the general election.

His supporters described him as a friendly and funny man who loves to play with children and dresses up as Santa Claus for the Methodist church.

But Jones has had other run-ins with the law. The Quincy (Ill.) Herald-Whig reported last year that, among other things, Jones was twice accused of illegally hunting deer and once pleaded guilty to a felony tampering charge.