According to Oneida County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Derrick…

According to Oneida County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Derrick O'Meara, who is the Director of the Oneida County Child Advocacy Center, a Utica man has been arrested for having sexual contact with a 14 year old female child.

Sheriff's Investigators Mark R. Chrysler and Nicholas A. Dean were assigned the case on February 17, 2020. Their investigation revealed that on February 14, 2020, the child was alone for a brief time in a vehicle inside the City of Utica with a Level 3 Registered Sex Offender, named Maurice M. Jones, age 57. Jones used this opportunity to subject the child to sexual contact. Jones is also currently on Parole.

On February 24, 2020, Investigator Chrysler and Investigator Dean, along with the assistance of NYS Parole, located Jones at a residence in Utica and he was taken in to custody without incident. Jones was charged with 1 count of Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree, a Class B Misdemeanor, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Jones was transported to the Utica City Police Department where he was held to await his arraignment on the listed charges and on an issued Parole Violation Warrant. An Order of Protection was also requested on the child's behalf.

The child has been offered services through the Child Advocacy Center.