By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – In a significant development, Crockett City Councilman Darrell Jones surrendered to law enforcement authorities on Thursday, November 21, following his indictment by a Houston County Grand Jury on two serious charges — one categorized as a third-degree felony.
This unexpected twist unfolded after the grand jury operating within the 349th judicial district concluded that Jones would face two specific charges:
In cause 14CR-181, Jones is accused of failure or refusal to provide public information, classified as a misdemeanor. This offense carries a penalty of up to a $1,000 fine, a potential six-month incarceration in county jail, and is defined as “official misconduct.”
According to the indictment obtained by The Messenger from the Houston County District Attorney’s office, Jones, acting in his capacity as an officer for public information, demonstrated criminal negligence by failing to grant access or allow copies of public records requested by Dolcefino Consulting. This effectively violated the legal obligations inherent in his role as an elected official.
As previously reported by The Messenger, Wayne Dolcefino filed an official complaint with local authorities on July 29, alleging that his requests for public information had been disregarded. Notably, Jones had previously communicated in a letter to city officials that he intended to withhold any compliance regarding requests for his “private records.” This stance was found by the grand jury to be a breach of his responsibilities to furnish public records promptly and transparently.
In the second charge, Jones is facing a class three felony for Misuse of Public Information, a serious allegation with potential prison sentences ranging from two to ten years, along with possible fines escalating to $10,000. Depending on the specifics of the case and Jones’s criminal background, the court may also consider options for probation as part of his sentencing.
The indictment in this matter, 24CR-189, explicitly states that Jones, in his capacity as a Crockett City Council member, disclosed sensitive information for non-governmental purposes—notably a letter of intent concerning Project Atticus—prompting concerns of intent to harm or defraud another party.
While details surrounding this case remain limited to avoid influencing potential outcomes, it is disclosed that Ritchie received a grand jury subpoena related to his communications with Jones. Initially, Ritchie resisted law enforcement’s requests to divulge information, adhering to established legal principles aimed at protecting journalistic sources. Eventually, he recognized the gravity of the situation and surrendered select communications, which apparently corroborated the grand jury’s findings against Jones.
Reports suggest that Jones became aware of his indictments while traveling out of state, yet he promptly agreed to return and turn himself in for processing at the Houston County Sheriff’s Office. Following his arrest, he secured a quick release after posting a total bond of $7,500 across the two charges.
At this juncture, the implications of the indictments for Jones’s role as City Councilman for Precinct Two remain uncertain.
No official comments or statements have emerged from Jones regarding the ongoing situation, likely due to legal advisement against public discussion amid pending criminal litigation. As of this moment, the ability for Jones to fulfill his responsibilities as a council member during the trial or while on bond is yet to be established. Additionally, the prosecutorial approach to the charges remains undetermined. With Houston County District Attorney Donna Kaspar’s impending retirement at year-end, the case will likely fall under the purview of incoming DA Daphne Session.
Although Jones is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court, a felony conviction would prohibit him from serving on the city council. As there is no designated trial date, it remains unclear if Jones will pursue a plea deal with prosecutors or choose to vigorously contest the charges in court. Should he ultimately be found innocent, Jones could retain his council position, contingent upon future electoral support from his constituents.
The Messenger consistently field thousands of tips, documents, and information from our readers and public officials, and while we follow up on most leads, we place significant trust in elected officials to provide us with legally permissible information. Our editorial responsibilities are paramount, prompting us to only disclose information to authorities when we believe that noncompliance could obscure criminal activity.
Stay tuned to The Messenger for ongoing updates concerning this developing story.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
**What are the specific charges facing Crockett City Councilman Darrell Jones, and what do they entail?**
**Interview with Greg Ritchie, Messenger Reporter**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us, Greg. Can you give us a brief overview of the situation involving Crockett City Councilman Darrell Jones?
**Greg Ritchie**: Thank you for having me. Darrell Jones surrendered to law enforcement on November 21 after being indicted by a Houston County Grand Jury on two charges: one is a misdemeanor related to the failure to provide public information, and the other is a third-degree felony concerning the misuse of public information. These charges stemmed from allegations that he failed to respond to requests for public records made by Dolcefino Consulting and potentially disclosed sensitive information for personal gain.
**Interviewer**: What led to these charges?
**Greg Ritchie**: The issues arose after Wayne Dolcefino filed a complaint in late July, claiming that his requests for public information were ignored. Jones had previously indicated that he would not comply with requests for his “private records,” which the grand jury found to be a violation of his responsibilities as a public official. The first charge involves his negligence in failing to grant access to these records, while the second charge involves allegations that he disclosed confidential information for non-governmental purposes related to a project known as Project Atticus.
**Interviewer**: How did you become involved in this story?
**Greg Ritchie**: I received a grand jury subpoena regarding my communications with Jones. Initially, I resisted sharing this information due to the protections for journalistic sources, but I later understood the seriousness of the allegations and decided to comply partially, providing select communications that seemed to support the grand jury’s findings.
**Interviewer**: What are the potential consequences for Jones if he is convicted?
**Greg Ritchie**: The misdemeanor charge could result in a fine of up to $1,000 and possible jail time of up to six months. The felony charge for misuse of public information carries much more severe penalties, potentially including prison time of two to ten years and fines up to $10,000.
**Interviewer**: What has been the community’s reaction to this news?
**Greg Ritchie**: The reaction has been mixed, with many residents expressing shock and disappointment. Public officials and citizens alike are concerned about what this means for transparency and trust in local governance, especially given that elected officials are expected to uphold the law and serve the public interest.
**Interviewer**: Thank you for your insights, Greg. It’s certainly a developing story that will require close attention.
**Greg Ritchie**: Absolutely. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss it.
