Man who posed as cop, handcuffed two, gets probation

[left-of-center2012]

FLINT, MI - The first fake cop who patrolled with a group of other wanna-be imposters who held people at gunpoint and detained others in handcuffs was sentenced on Monday. Jeffrey L. Jones, 29, of Flint, was sentenced to five years of probation on Sept. 17 by Genesee Circuit Judge Celeste Bell.

Jones' sentence was a part of a plea deal with Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton that included no upfront jail time and ordered Jones turn over all the equipment he used while acting as a fake cop.

Jones and four others were charged with acting as fake cops for years, dressed like real officers, had badges, handcuffs and guns, drove vehicles with emergency lights and would tell people they were the police, investigators previously said.

Jones pleaded guilty to a charge of impersonating a police officer, which Judge Bell said was a four-year felony.

https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/09/man_who_posed_as_cop_handcuffe.html

[Nitram]

1. He should have been sentenced to jail time.

They were doing this for the feeling of power and authority over other people, not as a public service.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

2. "...power and authority over other people, not as a public service"

That could apply to some "real" cops as well. And to a few bosses I've known, although they didn't actually point a gun at anyone.



A bit of jail time, and some public service (trash cleanup on roads) would seem more appropriate, I agree.

[Marcuse]

3. He blamed it on the water.