St. Marys councilman charged in family dispute

A St. Marys councilman was arrested early Friday morning and charged with battery-family violence (first offense), according to the Camden County Sheriff’s Office website.

Artie Jones, 71, of St. Marys, was booked at 6:45 a.m. Friday and charged with the misdemeanor.

His bond was $2,500, according to the sheriff’s office website. He was released at 10:22 a.m. Friday.

The St. Marys Police Department initially responded to a “domestic violence incident,” according to a police report. The local law enforcement agency conducted the original investigation before St. Marys Police Chief James Galloway asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to take over the case, according to the arrest report.

The arrest report said a St. Marys officer arrived at a residence at about 11:40 a.m. May 4 and spoke with Artie Jones’ sister.

“I observed a large red patch on (her) left inner arm near her elbow and a slight bruise right above that on her inner left bicep,” the report said. The Tribune & Georgian does not typically name victims of alleged crimes.

The report said Jones’ sister said Artie Jones and his brother, Milton Jones, were “at her residence.” She said an argument started between her and Artie Jones about missing furniture, and Jones said he wanted a generator returned to the home.

The victim said the argument escalated and Artie Jones “shoved her causing her to fall into a chair.” The victim said she punched her brother in self-defense, and Artie Jones then “strangled her with one hand.”

“She stated that he stopped strangling her and started to hit her with a closed fist and said he punched her at least five or six times,” the report said.

The victim said her other brother pulled Artie Jones off of her and the two left the home.

Artie Jones told the Tribune & Georgian a different version of what happened.

Artie Jones said he and his brother, Milton Jones, were at his father’s former home in St. Marys, “getting ready to sell it.” The Jones’ father died in July 2021. The two were reviewing the home. Artie Jones said his younger sister, who had been previously living in the home, arrived and a verbal altercation began.

Artie Jones said his sister began arguing with him, asking the brothers why they were in the house.

“She was standing in the doorway, with her hands on her hip, looking crazy,” Artie Jones said.

Artie Jones said his sister “elbowed” him in the chest and was swinging at him, so he grabbed her arm and “put her on a chair.” Jones said his brother intervened and separated the two.

“He’s trying to hold her, and she’s cussing and kicking,” Artie Jones said.

Milton Jones added that when Artie Jones attempted to leave the home, the sister approached Artie Jones again and Milton Jones “had to restrain her.”

Later that day, Artie Jones said, he was told law enforcement officials were attempting to reach him, and he met with an official with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

“Preliminary information indicates that Councilman Artie Jones Jr. was in an argument with a family, which resulted in a fight,” a Georgia Bureau of Investigation news release said. “One family member was injured, and Artie Jones Jr. was arrested for one count of misdemeanor battery.”

Artie Jones said he met with the state law enforcement agency official, and the next day, his brother talked with a GBI investigator.

On May 18, Artie Jones said he received a call from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and was told there was a warrant out for his arrest. Artie Jones said he was out of town, but would be available the next morning. He met the investigator at the Camden County Public Safety Complex on Friday morning.

“I don’t know why they’re even pursuing it,” Artie Jones said. “Nobody passed a lick or nothing. I think GBI doesn’t want people to think they’re doing special favors. There’s just nothing to it.

“I’ve never hit a woman in anger. There’s no way they can say I hit her. And there are no marks on her that I left.”

Artie Jones has an extensive political career, having served as a Camden County commissioner from 1979-96. He currently serves on the St. Marys City Council and as a member of the Camden County Public Service Authority Board.

“It’s embarrassing,” Artie Jones said. “My family started off in high esteem. Everybody wants to be like the Jones. We’re a very outgoing family, and my family has done a lot of good things in the community. Our father was a real man that everybody looked up to. My sister, she has issues.”

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said it will forward a case file to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.