Grand Traverse County Commission Vice Chair Brad Jewett was sentenced to five days in jail, six months probation, and a $500 fine Monday after pleading guilty to engaging the services of a prostitute, a misdemeanor charge in Michigan.

Jewett was allowed to give a statement before his sentencing in 86th District Court. "I'd like to say that I know what I did was wrong," he began. "I have said it before, but I'll say it again: I apologize to my wife and family, my friends, my community, all who I dearly love. And I do believe that I, myself, and my wife have taken the right steps with counseling...we're closer now than we've ever been, and drawing closer to God every day throughout this. And again, I just apologize."

Jewett, 55, was among three individuals arrested in June in a multi-entity undercover operation involving the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office, Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Traverse City Police Department, and Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Jewett's case is not reported to have included a minor. Authorities placed ads online using a website known for advertising sexual services, and Jewett is accused of soliciting prostitution through that advertisement.

The case was referred by Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney Noelle Moeggenberg to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office, which agreed in July to review it for possible charges against Jewett. Jewett was later charged with two misdemeanor offenses and was arraigned in September. He initially pled not guilty to both charges, but later pled guilty in November to engaging the services of a prostitute in exchange for the charge of using a computer to commit a crime being dropped. 

Jewett lost his reelection bid to the Grand Traverse County commission last month to Democratic challenger Fern Spence in District 4. Spence and all other incoming commissioners will be sworn into office at a ceremony Monday (December 23) at 6pm at the Governmental Center.

Jewett will serve his jail sentence beginning January 15.