UNION, W.Va. — Monroe County Sheriff Jeff Jones was arrested by state police Friday in connection with an alleged cover-up.
According to a state police news release, troopers began investigating Jones after learning that a Monroe County deputy was allegedly seeking nude photos of a minor.
“Jones interfered with this investigation by deceiving the Monroe County Civil Service Commission during the hiring of the Deputy under investigation,” state police said. “Sheriff Jones also failed to file a referral with the WV Department of Health and Human Resources, and failed to comply with a lawfully issued subpoena.”
Jones was charged with failure to report as a mandated reporter and deceiving the civil service commission.
Jones was arrested Friday and arraigned in Monroe County Magistrate Court. He was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.
The Monroe County Commission postponed a vote in June to begin the process of attempting to remove Jones and his chief deputy James Hylton from office.
Jones and Hylton were under investigation for several reported instances of not fulfilling their roles. The resolution drafted by Monroe County Clerk Jeremy Meadows and Prosecuting Attorney Justin St. Clair stated that the commission was seeking Jones to be removed for “incompetence or neglect of duty.”