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

In line with courtroom paperwork obtained by WFAA, Everman Fireplace Division Deputy Chief Joel Jones, 53, is going through one rely of aggravated sexual assault and two counts of felony solicitation of a felony – one for aggravated sexual assault and one other for aggravated kidnapping. He is at the moment 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 rely of aggravated sexual assault, however has since posted his $25,000 bond and is 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 lavatory, 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 known as police” — in response to FOX 4. She then allegedly known as Jones, who known as police and took her to the hospital.

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

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

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

Griffiths allegedly claimed Jones informed him the sufferer had consented to the act and was open to it, regardless of any resistance she could present. He stated Jones additionally supplied him with the sufferer’s deal with, 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 informed him police have been concerned. The sufferer nonetheless, informed 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 individuals. One message allegedly talked about that the “subsequent plan is to have her kidnapped.”

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

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

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

“The character of the allegations and fees are deeply regarding,” Whatley stated in an announcement. “Division command workers is absolutely cooperating with the Fort Value Police Division as they examine this incident… We wish to guarantee the general public that we take issues comparable to this extraordinarily critically.”

Jones’ arrest additionally comes as a shock to his Forth Value neighbors, who say the suspect had not too long ago gone door-to-door warning a couple of sexual predator on the free — this after the preliminary incident.

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

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

“You hear somebody is within the hearth division, you have got a excessive stage 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 help for these in want.