Justin Jeffre introduces city council member

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Justin Jeffre, center right, introduces city council member Charlie Winburn to the rest of a group of Occupy Cincinnati protesters, Monday, Oct. 31, 2011, during a visit by the group to city hall in Cincinnati. Jeffre is a member of the music group 98 Degrees. Jeffre was arrested last week along with several other members of Occupy Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Former Boy Band Member Arrested In Occupy Protest

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CINCINNATI -- Local police said a former boy band member was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with trespassing during an Occupy Cincinnati protest.

98 Degrees had eight top 40 singles and sold 10 million albums worldwide. The four members included brothers Nick and Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons and Justin Jeffre -- the same Justin Jeffre who helped lead an Occupy Cincinnati rally on Fountain Square on Saturday and the same one who was arrested Sunday.

"Being in jail is not fun. It's very dehumanizing," Jeffre said.

Jeffre, 38, who is now a political activist, said he's standing up for free speech that doesn't end at dark.

"The reality is, I think a lot of people who work at the justice system understand what we're talking about. We must have government of, for and by the people. And we want our First Amendment right to do it," Jeffre said on Monday night at Piatt Park.

Jeffre calls the members of 98 Degrees "his brothers," and they still get together. He said they support his "taking a stand" even if some of them don't want to be perceived as "political."

"We love our country and our constitutional rights. We love our parks and public places, and we want everybody to be able to enjoy them," Jeffre said.

98 Degrees boy band singer Justin Jeffre among arrested Occupy Cincinnati protesters

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CINCINNATI — Former boy band singer Justin Jeffre has pleaded not guilty to trespassing after being arrested in the Occupy Cincinnati protest, part of the demonstrations over economic inequality that have spread nationwide.

Police say the member of 98 Degrees was one of 11 people arrested early Sunday at the city's Fountain Square after the 3 a.m. closing time. They also were charged with unlawful use of the square.

Jeffre tells The Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper he spent several hours in jail and it was "no fun." But he says it was the right place to be to stand up for free speech.

The 38-year-old Jeffre has been a Cincinnati political activist.