A University of Miami Law School professor was charged on Aug. 22 with one count of misdemeanor for soliciting a prostitute.
Donald Marvin Jones, who has worked at the law school since 1988, approached a female, undercover police officer who was posing as a prostitute, according to the city of Miami Police Department incident report.
The report says Jones offered the officer $20 for sex, and was subsequently stopped and arrested after the police officer gave the “take down signal.”
The arrest occurred on Aug. 22 at the Little River neighborhood at the intersection of N.W. 1st Court and N.W. 79th Street, at 10:05 p.m.
Jones, who has been on sabbatical since the beginning of the academic semester, did not respond to telephone and e-mail requests from The Miami Hurricane for comment. Jones entered a written plea of not guilty and asked for a trial, according to the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts Web site.
“The professor has made us aware of the charges against him,” said Dennis O. Lynch, dean of the School of Law. “He is a respected member of our law school community, and the validity of the charges will be determined through the appropriate judicial proceedings. I mean, he’s only been charged.”
Karla Hernandez, associate director of Media Relations, said UM is a private institution and cannot comment on personal matters.
Jeffrey Weiner, a UM alumnus and Iron Arrow member, is the lawyer defending Jones. His office said that Weiner does not comment on client cases.
At the time of publication, there was no date set for a future hearing, but a motion for continuance was filed at the Oct. 15 hearing.
Karyn Meshbane may be contacted at k.meshbane@umiami.edu.
To read the arrest report, visit TheMiamiHurricane.com.