FLORISSANT, MO (KTVI) – A Florissant city councilman was arrested for soliciting a prostitute in south St. Louis. According to police, he was caught by an undercover officer on South Broadway. FOX 2’s Rebecca Roberts dug up the details.
According to St. Louis City Police, Tim Jones was driving along South Broadway around 11:30, last Wednesday morning. He pulled over next to a prostitute.
He introduced himself as “Timothy J,” and asked repeatedly if she was a cop. Police say he showed her a $20 bill, and stated he wanted sex.
His instincts were correct: she was an undercover officer dressed as a prostitute, and their conversation was being recorded. Officers staged in the area swooped in, and took Jones into custody.
Florissant citizens elected 47-year old Tim Jones just six months ago. He was backed by the North County Labor Club. We asked Labor Club President Dick Kellett whether they’d still support Jones now. Kellett said that was a stupid question, and hung up.
We spoke to Jones off camera at his home Tuesday. He stated that he was falsely accused, and the charges were dropped. But he is charged with Patronizing Prostitution.
Concerned Florissant community leader Mark Behlmann feels the situation is a shame for his city: “It’s appalling. I believe that all elected officials should be held to a higher standard.”
This isn’t Jones’ first criminal offense. Public records show from 1988 to 1998, Jones pleaded guilty to 4 alcohol-related offenses, including two DWI’s, driving with a revoked license and being a persistent offender.
“The DWI and the drinking problem, nobody seemed to really know that,” Behlmann says.
Florissant Mayor Tom Schneider didn’t know about Jones’ arrest for soliciting until we informed his office. In a statement, Schneider called it a “serious charge” and said, “this allegation deserves careful legal scrutiny.”
The Florissant City Council meets October 27th. Citizen Behlmann hopes Jones resigns: “The honorable thing to do would be to immediately resign. That would start adding credibility back to his name.”
Tim Jones is scheduled to appear in court on November 12th.
