James Jones, 21, was arrested April 25 after biting a state trooper on the wrist during protests at IU's Dunn Meadow, according to a court document.
(Courtesy, Monroe County Sheriff's Office)
An Indiana University student who was arrested during anti-war protests at Dunn Meadow bit a state trooper on the wrist and fled from police before an IU officer tackled him to the ground, a court document alleges.
James Jones, 21, is charged with battery against a public safety official as a level 6 felony. To date, he is the only person who has been formally charged in connection with the protests.
Police encountered Jones among a crowd of protesters Thursday, May 25 — the first day of sit-ins at Dunn Meadow — after they began to clear a makeshift encampment, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The police response included an Indiana State Police tactical intervention platoon, SWAT team and uniformed patrol units.
“During the relocation, numerous members of the crowd threw themselves at officers, and several were arrested,” the affidavit states. “One such person (Jones) was identified on multiple occasions (…) as one of the most serious offenders.”
The affidavit says an ISP sergeant tried to grab hold of Jones, but he escaped back into the crowd and the sergeant was told not to pursue him.
Another trooper later told the sergeant that he recognized Jones from an earlier encounter, during which he bit the trooper on the wrist while the trooper was trying to move a different person. The trooper said Jones escaped into the crowd immediately afterward, according to the affidavit.
The sergeant later told IU police officers that Jones would be arrested on suspicion of battery on a law enforcement officer. Other members of the crowd then warned Jones that police were coming for him, and he began to run away. An IU police officer caught up to Jones and tackled him to the ground.
“The IU officer then read Jones his Miranda rights, and I heard Jones tell him he was only biting him because ‘the guy put his hand in my face,’” the affidavit states.
Jones was taken to an offsite processing center at the Gladstein Fieldhouse along with 34 others who were arrested last Thursday before being booked at the Monroe County Jail. Jones later posted bond and was released.
The affidavit lists two other charges police presented to the prosecutor’s office: resisting law enforcement and trespass. Online court records do not list those charges in Jones’ case, however.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Jeff Kehr told WFIU/WTIU News the prosecutor's office did not file those charges.
Jones is among a total of 57 people arrested at the protests. In addition to being the only one formally charged, he is the only one arrested on a felony allegation.
Kehr said earlier this week the others were arrested on suspected misdemeanor offenses. He added the prosecutor’s office is still going through reports and digital evidence and has not yet decided whether it will file charges against the other 56 people.
Earlier this week, IUPD provided WFIU/WTIU News the following breakdown of the university affiliation of those arrested:
Arrests on 4/25/24
3 faculty
5 graduate students
18 undergraduate students
1 Fall 2024 admitted student
1 former student
5 no affiliation
1 unknown
Total: 34
Arrests on 4/27/24
1 faculty
3 graduate students
11 undergraduate students
2 staff
4 no affiliation
2 unknown
Total: 23
IUPD confirmed Jones is an IU student.
Many were arrested on preliminary charges of misdemeanor criminal trespass. The night before the protests began, IU administrators changed a 55-year-old policy, banning unapproved tents at Dunn Meadow. Up until that point, tents were allowed without prior approval until 11 p.m.
Jones appeared for an initial hearing at 1 p.m. Friday at Monroe Circuit Court. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. He is being represented by a public defender.
A group of about two-dozen protesters gathered Friday outside the Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center to demand the charge against Jones be dropped.
The group left around 2 p.m. but said they will be back for Jones' next court appearance. Jones is scheduled for a pretrial conference at 2 p.m. June 17 and a jury trial on Nov. 18.
