FREEDOM — Democratic House Rep. Brian Jones of Freedom was arrested Monday night after a state trooper found him in a sexual encounter with a woman in her van at a Park-and-Ride in West Gardiner.

State police spokesman Stephen McCausland said Trooper Lee Vanadestine noticed Jones and the woman in the van during a routine check of the parking lot at around 10 p.m.

Jones refused to identify himself, and McCausland said this along with his demeanor was a factor in his arrest. “He was completely uncooperative,” McCausland said. 

McCausland said the trooper was able to identify Jones because his car with his legislative plates was parked at the service plaza across the interstate.

Jones was charged with indecent conduct and failure to give his name. He was taken to Kennebec County Jail on Monday night and released Tuesday morning after posting $310 bail. The woman was was not arrested or charged, McCausland said.

In a statement released Tuesday from the office of House Speaker Mark Eves, Jones said, “I am aware that the allegations made will be a source of embarrassment for my family and a cause for concern for my constituents. I am deeply embarrassed.”

Jones attributed his behavior to a long term struggle with alcoholism. “This has been a struggle for me and my family and I am seeking medical treatment now,” he said.

Rep. Eves, of North Berwick, said he had “been informed about the allegations Rep. Jones is confronting and we are taking them seriously.”

"He has assured me that he intends to cooperate with the judicial process,” Eves said. “I extend my support to his family during this difficult time."

Jones is serving his first term representing House District 45, which includes the Western Waldo County towns of Burnham, Freedom, Knox, Montville, Palermo, Thorndike, Troy and Unity. He is seeking reelection against Republican challenger Maryanne Kinney of Knox.

The winner would serve the newly-redistricted House District 99, which includes the towns of Brooks, Burnham, Freedom, Jackson, Knox, Monroe, Thorndike, Troy and Unity. 

Ethan Andrews can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com