LOCAL

'I don't want to do this': After stealing from governor's residence, man says he'll change

Megan Banta
Lansing State Journal

LANSING — A 24-year-old Lansing resident will spend about two weeks in jail then head to treatment for substance use, which he told a judge led him to steal from two cars parked at the governor's residence. 

Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina sentenced Dequinderick Jones to 14 days in jail with credit for four days served. She ordered him to then be transferred to the first available bed at a treatment facility. 

Dequinderick Devon Jones, 24, of Lansing, is accused of breaking into vehicles parked at the governor's residence in Lansing and stealing a bluetooth speaker.

She asked Jones why he's polluting his brain with drugs and alcohol and whether he wants his future to be spent behind bars or contributing to society. 

"Let's change this script," Aquilina told Jones. "You have the power to do that." 

Broke into two cars at governor's residence

In March, Jones stole a guitar from an on-duty Michigan State Police trooper's personal vehicle, a 2005 Cadillac Escalade. He also stole a Bluetooth speaker from a vehicle driven by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's daughter. 

The cars were parked outside the governor's residence, a gated property in Lansing's Moores Park neighborhood.

Jones was charged with one count of larceny from a motor vehicle, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, and one misdemeanor count of breaking and entering a vehicle. 

He pleaded guilty to the felony count. Prosecutors plan to drop the misdemeanor count as part of his plea deal. 

Prosecutors said Wednesday that Jones simply picked the wrong house, especially given the security presence. 

Man says he's 'trying to change'

Including previous felonies and misdemeanors, Jones has faced 12 offenses in his 24 years, Aquilina said, and that's a problem. 

Jones currently doesn't have a job and isn't in school. 

"We don't like you assaulting our community with crime," she told Jones. "It is not our fault that you can't get a job." 

Jones told Aquilina he spends his days trying to find employment. 

He also acknowledged he has substance use issues and said he believes he needs treatment. 

"I'm trying here. I'm trying to change my ways," Jones said. "I don't want to do this no more." 

Aquilina told him she expects complete compliance and that he can't walk out of treatment or "we'll just treat you behind bars." 

She reserved the rest of a possible year-long sentence until after Jones completes treatment. That time can take place during a two-year probation period, during which Jones will have a curfew and can't be within 500 feet of the governor's residence or the state capitol building. 

Aquilina told Jones she believes he can make it through treatment and probation. 

"You're just way too young to spend the next 70 years behind bars. Turn it around," she said. "I know you can." 

Contact reporter Megan Banta at (517) 377-1261 or mbanta@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @MeganBanta_1.

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