MARATHON, April 22, 2020 – The State Attorney’s Office’s newest assistant state attorney was sworn in on April 21, but in a manner not done with any prosecutor before.
Acting Circuit Court Judge Ruth Becker swore in Sherry Ibey Jones via teleconference following court proceedings. Most proceedings are being done via teleconference to limit the threat of the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and such was the case with Jones’ swearing-in.
Jones comes from Navarre in the Panhandle, where she had been a defense attorney since 2008. She had her own practice since 2012. She previously was an assistant state attorney in the 3rd Judicial Circuit, which covers seven counties in North Florida, and an assistant public defender in Gainesville.
She earned her law degree from the University of Florida College of Law and her undergraduate degree in psychology from East Tennessee State University.
She describes herself as growing up a “farm girl” and was drawn to the Keys because of the environment. She is an avid kayaker.
Jones moved here with her significant other, Paula Da Silva Lannes, who will serve as a paralegal. Both are based in Marathon.