Star Of Police Department's Lip-Syncing Video Now Accused Of Having Sex With 14-Year-Old

A Missouri police officer who starred in his department's lip sync challenge video is now facing rape and sodomy charges after investigators say he had an ongoing sexual relationship with a minor that began when the girl was 14 years old.

Quntazi Jones, a 29-year-old officer with the Potosi Police Department, was charged earlier this month with four counts of statutory rape and three counts of statutory sodomy. Investigators say Jones admitted to having more than 30 sexual encounters with the victim, including one recent encounter when he was on duty, according to the Daily Journal.

The victim told investigators the alleged relationship began in April of 2017 at a baseball game where they had sex in Jones' personal vehicle, according to the probable cause statement obtained by the Daily Journal.

They'd have sex again later that week in his car on a road near her home, the victim allegedly told investigators.

The sexual encounters continued, including an alleged encounter last month when Jones was on duty and met the victim at his apartment.

Earlier this month, Washington County Sheriff Zach Jacobsen said his department learned of the possible relationship and reached out to the Missouri State Highway Patrol to help with the investigation.

"I contacted the Missouri State Highway Patrol and requested they assist with the investigation, which they granted and are handling the criminal investigation at this time," he told the local paper.

During the initial questioning, Jones allegedly denied that he knew the teen but said he did have a personal relationship with the girl's parents, according to an investigation report.

However, when investigators were reviewing the contents of his cell phone they reportedly found nude photographs of the victim that were in a password-protected folder in his Snapchat app. Investigators said Jones later admitted to the sexual relationship.

The serious charges against him are a stark contrast from the jovial mood he displayed earlier this year in the Potosi Police Department's lip sync challenge video. Police departments across the country have begun making the videos and posting them to social media as a way to connect with the community.    

The Potosi Police Department's video prominently features Jones, along with four other officers, as they lip sync and dance their way through various songs including Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On."

Jones, who has been placed on administrative leave from the department, posted a $100,000 bail and was released from jail Wednesday, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

[Photo: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office]