MALONE — A former Malone city councilman was convicted Thursday of grand theft auto and dealing in stolen property.
Fred Lee Jones, 65, of Malone, was arrested in March 2012 in connection with several local car thefts. Investigators with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office determined that Jones stole the vehicles and sold them for scrap. After his arrest, Jones was removed from office by Gov. Rick Scott.
Jones’ trial, which was held in Marianna, was the first of four in which he faces grand theft auto and dealing in stolen property charges. Jones also has been charged with misuse of public office for personal gain.
