Police: Man Uses Toilet to Try to Flood Jail Cell

A Mentor-on-the-Lake man is accused of using a pillow to try to stop up a toilet and flood his cell at the Mentor-on-the-Lake Jail.

Joseph Jones Jr., 47, was arrested on a charge of persistent disorderly conduct after he argued with a family member Tuesday evening, Mentor-on-the-Lake Police Lt. John Gielink said.

While in the city's jail, he tried to block his cell's toilet with a pillow, Gielink said.

Consequently, Jones was charged with vandalism and sent to Lake County Jail.

Jones was arraigned this morning in Mentor Municipal Court. He pleaded not guilty and Judge John Trebets set his bond at $3,000, which Jones posted.

If convicted of vandalism, Jones could be released on probation or face up to a year in prison.

Jones had an unrelated 15 minutes of fame when he appeared on an episode of Ripley's Believe It or Not in 2002 as the "eye popper." Jones can extend his eyes almost a half of an inch from his face and hold them there as long as he wants, according to Ripley's website.

The following arrest information was supplied by the Mentor-on-the-Lake Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. For questions about this blotter, email Jason.Lea@Patch.com.