A Morehead State University Police Officer has been indicted on felony charges in Fleming County.
50-year-old Shawn Jones was indicted by a Fleming County Grand Jury last week on one count of second-degree arson. The charge is a Class B felony, which is punishable by a term of imprisonment not less than 10 years or more than 20 years.
According to the indictment, Jones is accused of starting a fire with the intent of destroying a home on Johnson School Road in Hillsboro in July of 2021.
Jones, who also lives in Hillsboro, has worked at Morehead State University as a police officer since March of 2005. As of Tuesday morning, Jones was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. It is unclear if Jones is accused of setting fire to his own home, or a home belonging to someone else. Kentucky State Police are currently investigating, and have declined to comment due to the ongoing nature of the case.
This is the second Morehead State Police department employee to face charges this year. Crystal Barnett, a dispatcher, entered an Alford plea in April for tampering with the private communications of a coworker. She was also charged with unlawful access to a computer and divulging illegally obtained information, but those charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. She had to pay a $100 fine and court costs.