Sting operation identifies 2 more
Jul. 3—TRAVERSE CITY — The identities of two other men, arrested as part of a multi-jurisdictional undercover operation that also named a Grand Traverse County commissioner, were disclosed by law enforcement authorities this week.
Scott Barrett, 61, and Clayton Hall, born in 2001, were named along with county Commissioner Brad Jewett as part of the sting operation conducted on June 19 and 20, investigators said.
The undercover investigation was conducted by the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office, Traverse City Police Department, Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Department of Homeland Security and the Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Investigators said there's no indication that Jewett's case involved children, but they are alleging he engaged in the solicitation of prostitution involving online advertising that was part of the sting operation.
The Grand Traverse Prosecutor's Office said that, since Jewett is the vice-chairman of the Grand Traverse County board, a request was sent to the Michigan Attorney General's Office on June 27 that an out-of-county special prosecutor should take the case against him to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
As of Wednesday, the Attorney General's office said they have "not yet received this request for the assignment of a special prosecutor." So it is not yet known which county and special prosecutor will be appointed to Jewett's case, or when that will happen.
"I would certainly hope and expect that someone other than the prosecutor in Grand Traverse County would be proceeding with this," county Commissioner T.J. Andrews said. "For obvious reasons, we need to avoid any appearance of unfairness or prejudice — or any opportunity to influence anything" pertaining to Jewett's case. An arraignment date has not yet been scheduled for Jewett, according to the 86th District Court.
"It's been what, two weeks?" Andrews said. "What's going on? I thought he would be arraigned in a matter of days. The idea that we don't even know who is in charge of this ..."
Andrews added that she hopes moving Jewett's case in the judicial system "as expeditiously as possible" would be made a priority. "It doesn't seem like that's happening whatsoever."
The longer Jewett goes without an arraignment or preliminary hearing, the more speculation and concern will be raised that "some level of influence" is affecting the speed of Jewett's forthcoming legal procedures.
"Hopefully, that's not the case," she said. "This is a matter of immense public interest. This is an elected leader in the community. I hope there is some good explanation for this delay. And I would assume Commissioner Jewett would also like an expeditious process. We have a right to a speedy trial — and that includes a speedy process to get into the system. Otherwise, people are left speculating what the charges are, what the evidence is, and what the accusations are."
County Board Chairman Rob Hentschel said he has "seen these kinds of things before," and assumes that Jewett's case has just been delayed and isn't the result of a county official having "dropped the ball."
"It probably just hasn't made it up the chain yet," Hentschel said.
According to 86th District Court records, Hall was arraigned on June 24 by Magistrate Tammi Rodgers, and formally charged with two counts of accosting a minor for immoral purposes, one count of child abuse activity, one count of using a computer to commit a crime and one count of obstructing and resisting police.
Hall pleaded not guilty to all charges, and was released on a $250,000 cash and/or surety bond, with several conditions — including having no contact with minors and not going to hotels or motels. His probable cause conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. July 15, and his preliminary examination is scheduled for 10 a.m. July 22.
Barrett was arraigned June 21 and charged one count of child abuse activity, a 20-year felony count of using a computer to commit a crime, one count of accosting a minor for immoral purposes, one count of possession of child sexually abusive materials and one count of tampering with evidence. Barrett pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on a $50,000 cash and/or surety bond under several conditions — including having no contact with minors or going to schools or beaches, according to court records.
Prosecutors entered a plea offer July 3 in this case that would drop a habitual offender and other charges in exchange for a guilty plea on the child abuse and evidence tampering charges, according to court records. Barrett's preliminary examination is scheduled for 11 a.m. July 10.
As far as Jewett's work as a county commissioner, since this case doesn't appear to involve minors, Hentschel said he expects to see him at a county meeting sometime in the next few weeks, carrying out his duties as a commissioner.
"I don't know all the facts of the case," Hentschel said, "but everything I've gathered indicates to me that this does not affect his ability to vote on county board meetings. He has not said that he's stepping back."
