Hearth Chief Used ‘Hookup App’ to Rent Man to Rape Lady, Claims It Was Her ‘Fantasy’

In line with courtroom paperwork obtained by WFAA, Everman Hearth Division Deputy Chief Joel Jones, 53, is going through one depend of aggravated sexual assault and two counts of legal solicitation of a felony – one for aggravated sexual assault and one other for aggravated kidnapping. He is presently locked up on the Lon Evans Corrections Middle with a $300,000 bond, after Fort Value police cuffed him on March 26.

Additionally implicated within the alleged crimes is 30-year-old Tobasia Griffiths, who was the primary to be arrested on March 21. Griffiths is charged with one depend of aggravated sexual assault, however has since posted his $25,000 bond and is now not in custody.

In line with the arrest warrants obtained by the outlet, Jones allegedly conspired with Griffiths to sexually assault a Fort Value girl on February 21, whereas additionally plotting a follow-up assault involving a kidnapping.

Per the affidavit, the sufferer was asleep in her mattress when Griffiths allegedly appeared in her doorway, threatening to rape her. A bodily battle ensued, throughout which the sufferer stated she verbally protested. Regardless of her lack of consent, Griffiths allegedly proceeded with the sexual assault. She escaped by saying she wanted to make use of the toilet, then fleeing the residence.

Griffiths later discovered the half-dressed sufferer on the road, per the docs, pulled up in his automobile, and allegedly “threatened her that he would return and end the job and kill her if she referred to as police” — in accordance with FOX 4. She then allegedly referred to as Jones, who referred to as police and took her to the hospital.

Detectives reportedly recognized Griffiths after the sufferer — who allegedly took be aware of his license plate — offered an outline of each the suspect and his automobile.

Throughout questioning after his arrest, Griffiths allegedly advised detectives he met a person later recognized as Jones on the hookup app Sniffies.

“Jones approached Griffiths on the app and requested if he can be keen to have a sexual assault function play expertise with [the victim],” reads the affidavit. “Griffiths acknowledged that Jones stated [the victim] was into it, and wished to do that, so he agreed.”

Griffiths allegedly claimed Jones advised him the sufferer had consented to the act and was open to it, regardless of any resistance she could present. He stated Jones additionally offered him with the sufferer’s handle, storage code, day and time she’d be alone and the situation of her bed room.

He additionally claimed he believed “it was all a part of the act and the fantasy,” till Jones allegedly advised him police had been concerned. The sufferer nonetheless, advised police she did not know something a couple of “sexual assault function play expertise” and denied giving consent.

The arrest warrant additionally reportedly states that Jones allegedly despatched Griffiths $100 through Zelle for his participation within the assault.

Alleged messages between the 2 males included within the arrest warrant recommend that following the preliminary assault, a second assault was deliberate for February 25, doubtlessly involving different folks. One message allegedly talked about that the “subsequent plan is to have her kidnapped.”

On the twenty fifth, neighbors reportedly referred to as 911 after recognizing an unidentified particular person appearing suspiciously across the sufferer’s residence and following her.

Arrest warrants for each Jones and Griffiths had been issued on March 26. Police arrested Jones the identical day, whereas Griffiths was apprehended on March 29.

Following Jones’ arrest, Everman Hearth Chief Landon Whatley confirmed that Jones was instantly positioned on administrative go away pending the outcomes of an inner investigation, which shall be separate from the Fort Value Police Division’s investigation.

“The character of the allegations and prices are deeply regarding,” Whatley stated in a press release. “Division command workers is totally cooperating with the Fort Value Police Division as they examine this incident… We wish to guarantee the general public that we take issues resembling this extraordinarily critically.”

Jones’ arrest additionally comes as a shock to his Forth Value neighbors, who say the suspect had just lately gone door-to-door warning a couple of sexual predator on the free — this after the preliminary incident.

“We had been advised it was another person scoping the neighborhood,” stated neighbor James Martinez per WFAA.

“Mr. Jones and a few girl got here knocking on my door, talked to my spouse saying there’s a automobile out, maintain your children inside,” he added, telling the outlet that he and his spouse are actually upgrading their safety system to really feel protected.

“You hear somebody is within the fireplace division, you’ve got a excessive degree of respect,” Martinez stated. “Simply to see that he’s doing these items makes you surprise, if you cannot belief the hearth division?”

“That is your house. That is your bubble. You wish to be comfy and to have that popped, it is a impolite awakening,” he added.

The Nationwide Sexual Assault Phone Hotline — 800.656.HOPE (4673) — supplies free, 24/7 assist for these in want.