Jacob Jones, the ex-Fayetteville police officer who was fired and arrested on June 18 over sexual misconduct allegations against him, will have a final chance to defend himself in five weeks when he appears in court for his disposition hearing on Aug. 20.
Jones’ charges stem from an incident on May 13 in which Jones, 24, was reviewing security footage with a female employee at a business on Bragg Boulevard following a call for service there. During the interaction, Jones allegedly touched the victim inappropriately and without her consent multiple times.
Jones was charged with six counts of sexual battery on June 18, following the Fayetteville Police Department’s investigations into sexual misconduct allegations against him. In North Carolina, sexual battery is classified as a Class A1 misdemeanor. This is the most serious type of misdemeanor charge in the state and carries a maximum prison sentence of 150 days and a fine according to the judge’s discretion.
Jones’s arrest marks the second time a Fayetteville police officer has been charged with a crime and fired from the department in the last year. Sgt. Brian Gerber was arrested in August 2024 with 13 felony counts of obtaining property on false pretense while employed as an off-duty police security guard. His case is pending in the Cumberland County District Court.
Jones was hired by the police department on Nov. 14, 2022. His assignment was as a patrol officer in the field operations bureau, former Interim Police Chief Todd Joyce previously stated. After the police department received information about the incident on June 10, Jones was immediately placed on administrative leave, Joyce said in a press conference on June 18.
According to court documents reviewed by CityView, at Jones’ first court appearance on June 19, his attorney effectively argued to reduce his bond from $25,000 to $10,000. The documents show Jones’ bond was paid the same day and he was released from the Cumberland County Detention Center.
Jones’ attorney, Andrew Dualan, did not immediately respond to CityView’s request for comment on the case.
A June 19 affidavit demonstrating probable cause for Jones’ arrest reveals the May 13 incident was captured by security cameras at the business. The document says Jones subjected the victim to a series of non-consensual physical advances on May 13. These include touching her buttocks and thighs multiple times, placing his hand on her back and upper chest “near her right breast” and rubbing her back under her shirt.
The affidavit also includes information about the events leading up to his arrest, including details shared by the victim in her testimony. At the time of the incident, Jones was wearing his baton, taser and gun, according to the affidavit.
“The victim stated that she was in fear and did not want to say no or stop the defendant due to him being law enforcement officer,” the affidavit states. Following the interaction on May 13, Jones proceeded to call the victim and ask for “oral sex,” according to the document. He allegedly obtained her phone records via the “system,” the affidavit states. The document does not specify what type of system this is, but it likely refers to a system used by law enforcement agencies to access phone records of civilians.
“Due to the phone call, the Defendant looking over at the victim during the assault, the rubbing on the private parts, and him stopping when someone walks in the room, these touches/rubs were sexual gratification,” the affidavit concludes.
According to the District Attorney’s office, two additional victims have come forward since the investigation began, ABC11 reported.
Jones’ next hearing is set to take place at 9 a.m. on Aug. 20 in Courtroom 2A of the Cumberland County Courthouse. The disposition hearing will determine the final outcome in the case, which could result in a conviction and sentencing, plea deal, trial or dismissal of charges.
Government accountability reporter Evey Weisblat can be reached at eweisblat@cityviewnc.com or 216-527-3608.
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