Baxley, GA (July 2, 2019) – On Wednesday, June 26, 2019, the GBI’s Douglas Regional Office received a request from the Baxley Police Department to assist with a use of force investigation.

On Sunday, June 16, 2019, Baxley Police Department Lieutenant John Jones responded to a call regarding an assault at a local business.  After responding to the incident location, Lt. Jones took a sixteen year old male into custody.  Lt. Jones transported the juvenile to the Appling County Jail on charges related to the assault.  Once at the jail, the juvenile was noncompliant while Lt. Jones attempted to remove him from the patrol car.  Once the juvenile who was handcuffed in the front was under control, Lt. Jones used unnecessary force when he struck the juvenile several times and then choked him to unconsciousness.  Based on these facts, Lt. Jones was arrested on July 2, 2019 for the charges of Battery, Cruelty to Children in the First Degree, and Aggravated Assault.
 
The investigation is active and ongoing.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Baxley Police Department at (912) 367-8305 or the GBI Region 4 office at (912) 389-4103.

Contact Information:

Special Agent in Charge Mark Pro or Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jason Seacrist - 912/389-4103