June 22—TRAVERSE CITY — Grand Traverse County Executive Vice Chairman Brad Jewett was arrested Thursday during an undercover operation conducted by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Jewett allegedly engaged in solicitation of prostitution using online advertisements that were part of the sting operation, officials said.
Two other people were also arrested in the case, but their names had not been released Friday.
Jewett was transported to the Leelanau County Jail Thursday evening, where he was processed and released without a bail hearing, said Lt. Todd Roush of the Leelanau County Corrections Department.
The arrest warrant and booking photo were not available at the time of writing.
Grand Traverse County officers brought Jewett to Leelanau County for booking due to a potential conflict of interest in the case. The Grand Traverse County Board of Directors oversees the local sheriff’s department, including the annual budget.
For the same reason, Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg will “most likely” send the case to the attorney general’s office for reassignment to another jurisdiction or a special prosecutor, according to County Administrator Nate Alger.
Indictments against Jewett and the other two people charged in connection with the sting operation likely won’t happen until early next week, according to a representative from the 86th District Court.
This week’s multi-jurisdictional investigation was conducted June 19 and 20 by several law enforcement agencies, including the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office, the Traverse City Police Department, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security and the Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
County officials said there is no evidence Jewett’s case involved children.
“I received a call early Thursday evening from Sheriff Mike Shea about a sting operation soliciting prostitution,” Alger said. “I subsequently informed the members of the district council.”
Jewett would “probably” be charged with a misdemeanor and not a misdemeanor because he is reportedly a first-time offender, county officials said.
Jewett’s attorney, Paul Jarboe, confirmed his client had been arrested but said it was too early to say what the next steps will be until all law enforcement reports are released.
The Record-Eagle reached out to Jewett for comment but did not receive a response as of press time.
Known as a staunch conservative and taxpayer advocate, Jewett is now in his third term on the county council, representing District 4 in Garfield Township.
In addition to his work in county government, Jewett has been appointed to the BATA Board, the Emergency Management Committee, the Grand Traverse Central Dispatch Policy Board, the Local Planning Committee and the Traverse Transportation Coordination Initiative.
After growing up in Mesick, he attended business school and has lived in Grand Traverse County for about 33 years. Jewett is vice president and co-owner of Culver Senior Living, Inc., on West Silver Lake Road. He is married and has children.
Jewett’s fellow county commissioners praised law enforcement for the investigation. At the same time, they emphasized that Jewett has not currently been convicted of any crime.
“Like all of us, Commissioner Jewett has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” said Commissioner TJ Andrews, an attorney representing District 7 on the county council. “I like Commissioner Jewett and he has been respectful on the board.
“Of course there is a certain amount of shame and shame in these accusations and accusations,” she added. “We are all human, but it cannot help but have an impact. It is a very difficult situation.”
In the meantime, Andrews said she expects the county board to continue functioning as usual and that she “does not expect” Jewett to resign.
“If the board had a meeting this afternoon and was asked to spend more money on IT,” after the recent computer ransomware attack, “I think he would have the right to be there and vote,” she added to it.
Over the years, other county commissioners have been arrested on charges such as operating a vehicle while intoxicated and remained on the board.
Jewett is currently running for re-election as District 4 commissioner. He is unopposed in the August 6 Republican primary. Democrat Fern Spence has filed to run against him in the Nov. 5 general election.
Under Michigan law, “a person 16 years of age or older who addresses, solicits, or invites another person in any public place or into or from any building or vehicle, by word, gesture, or in any other manner, to commit prostitution or for any other immoral or immoral act, is guilty of a misdemeanor.”
The first such offense is generally considered a misdemeanor with a maximum fine of up to $500, up to 93 days in jail, or both, under Michigan Penal Code Chapter 750. Penalties increase for each subsequent offense.
Most, but not all, sex-related crimes require a convicted person to be added to the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry. However, the severity of the sexual offense will determine how long a person must register. Judges have some discretion in sentencing these cases.
Under the Michigan Constitution, anyone convicted within the last twenty years of “an offense involving dishonesty, deceit, fraud, or a breach of the public trust and the conviction (which) was related to that person’s official capacity are not in the running. for election or appointment to a state or local elective office. However, a misdemeanor conviction does not have the same effect.
County Board Member Darryl Nelson is working with local nonprofits to combat human trafficking in northern Michigan. He is currently visiting the historic D-Day sites in Normandy, France, but responded via text message to a reporter’s questions about Jewett’s arrest:
“I understand that Commissioner Jewett has shown courage in taking responsibility for his actions and is committed to making amends,” Nelson wrote. “Let us offer our prayerful support to him and his family.
“I would also like to sincerely thank our law enforcement officers for their continued dedication in enforcing laws designed to protect the vulnerable. Sheriff Shea and his department’s commitment to justice and safety is truly commendable and greatly appreciated by our entire community.”
In a similar vein, County Board Chairman Rob Hentschel, who spoke with Jewett Thursday evening, said, “I commend Sheriff Shea and his team for keeping our county safe. I also know this is a difficult time for Brad and his family.”
Five other county commissioners asked to comment on the arrest did not respond by press time.
The Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners next meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, at the Government Center, 400 Boardman Ave. in downtown Traverse City.
