Frederick County sheriff’s deputy kills himself after being arrested
Frederick County MD Aug 1 2017 A Frederick County sheriff’s deputy took his own life Monday after being arrested and later terminated for distributing marijuana that he had seized during a traffic stop.
Vincent Martin Jones, 29, died Monday of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office was at Jones’ Frederick home serving a termination notice when his body was discovered.
As the representatives spoke with a relative, a loud noise came from the second floor of the house in the 1800 block of Spruce Peak Way, according to a sheriff’s office news release. Jones was found dead afterward.
The sheriff’s office arrested and suspended Jones early Monday after learning he distributed the marijuana over the weekend, according to the release.
Jones was released from the Frederick County Adult Detention Center Monday after posting $10,000 bail, according to online court records.
Jones had initiated communications via text message and Snapchat with a 22-year-old woman in Walkersville after responding to a call at her home, according to charging documents. The woman’s mother contacted the sheriff’s office after learning of the relationship.
The two women told sheriff’s deputies that Jones was texting and sending pictures to the 22-year-old. Her cell phone contained pictures Jones sent of marijuana in his patrol car and messages stating he had seized some “dank” marijuana while on duty, according to charging documents.
Jones also suggested the 22-year-old woman smoke the drugs with a “bong,” according to charging documents.
On Saturday, Jones went to the women’s house in uniform. He gave the 22-year-old woman about 11 grams of marijuana and kissed her on the mouth, according to charging documents. The woman told investigators she started to feel awkward about the situation.
The women turned over the marijuana to investigating deputies, according to charging documents. The drugs were in the same kind of white-label bags deputies use to package evidence, according to the report.
The sheriff’s office put Jones on emergency suspension and arrested him after he admitted to most of the allegations, according to the charging documents. Jones told deputies he had kept the marijuana in his police car after seizing it during a traffic stop earlier in July.
Jones was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance. Both charges carry potential sentences of five years in prison and fines up to $15,000. He was also charged with possession of more than 10 grams of marijuana, which carries a potential penalty of one year in jail and a fine up to $1,000.
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office hired Jones as a corrections officer in 2011. He was hired as a deputy in February 2016.
Frederick News Post
