The Kentucky Court of Appeals is affirming the sentence of Dayton Jones was commuted and not pardoned, which means he will be required to register as a sex offender.
The Court of Appeals affirmed the May 29, 2020 ruling by Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd that clarified the action by former Governor Matt Bevin. At question was whether Bevin issued a pardon or a sentence commutation in the case of Jones, who pled guilty in December 2016 to one count each of sodomy in the first degree with no serious injury, wanton endangerment first degree, and distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor.
The May 29, 2020 ruling in the case came after Jones was contacted by the state after he failed to register as a sex offender. Jones appealed the ruling saying the Governor’s action was labeled pardon, but the body of order by Governor Bevin stated that Jones’ prison sentence was commuted to time served.
Jones was indicted in Christian Circuit Court in 2014 in connection to the sexual assault of a 15-year-old boy at a party in Christian County. He has since been indicted on federal charges of producing child sex abuse material and is lodged in jail.
