Jewett Arraigned on Two Misdemeanor Charges, Pleads Not Guilty

Grand Traverse County Commissioner Brad Jewett was arraigned on two misdemeanor charges Tuesday in 86th District Court, including engaging the services of a prostitute and using a computer to commit a crime. Jewett, 55, entered a not guilty plea and is scheduled for a pre-trial conference September 26 at 11:30am.

Jewett was among three individuals arrested in June in a multi-entity undercover operation involving the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office, Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Traverse City Police Department, and Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Jewett's case is not reported to have included a minor. Authorities placed ads online using a website known for advertising sexual services, and Jewett is accused of soliciting prostitution through that advertisement.The case was referred by Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney Noelle Moeggenberg to the state attorney general's office, which agreed in July to review it for possible charges against Jewett.

On August 21, the attorney general's office charged Jewett with two misdemeanor offenses. Engaging the services of a prostitute carries a possible sentence of up to 93 days in jail and/or a $500 fine, while using a computer to commit a crime carries a possible sentence of up to a year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine. Jewett, represented by attorney Paul Jarboe, was arraigned on the charges Tuesday via Zoom before 86th District Court Chief Magistrate Tammi Rodgers. Jarboe requested a not guilty plea be entered for Jewett.

Rodgers set a $1,000 personal recognizance bond for Jewett. The terms of the bond specify that Jewett is not to have contact with any person or phone number associated with the website Skip the Games, which bills itself as the "world's largest listing of independent escorts, agency escorts, and other adult service providers." He is also prohibited from using the dark web or any other website for the purposes of contacting individuals he doesn't know personally. Jewett is not supposed to use the Internet overall for anything other than business or county purposes, or personal use limited to crucial matters like handling finances.

Rodgers scheduled a pre-trial conference in Jewett's case for September 26 at 11:30am. Jarboe indicated to the state attorney general's office representative, Michael Frezza, that he would speak to him offline about the possibility of not needing to make a personal appearance at that pre-trial conference, which suggests the attorneys could soon discuss a plea deal. Jewett is up for reelection as county commissioner on the November 5 ballot, running as a Republican in District 4 against Democratic opponent Fern Spence.

In a statement, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said that "sting operations conducted by law enforcement are crucial to enforcing our human trafficking laws." She added: "Public officials should be held to a higher standard, but when they stoop to committing crimes that harm their own communities, my department will seek full enforcement of the law. We remain committed to holding accountable anyone who engages in criminal conduct, regardless of their position or status."