Missouri Sheriff Suspended After Allegedly Retaliating Against Deputies Who Spoke to FBI
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI — A Missouri judge has ruled that St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery cannot continue running his department from jail, temporarily removing him from office as he awaits trial on federal charges of abuse of power and retaliation against deputies who cooperated with the FBI.
The decision, issued Friday, was praised by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, who has been leading efforts to have Montgomery removed.
“A sheriff under federal indictment, facing a quo warranto proceeding, and sitting in jail cannot credibly lead a law enforcement agency,” Hanaway said in a statement.
Montgomery, 28, is accused of using his position to intimidate employees, retaliating against deputies who spoke to federal investigators, and interfering with a misconduct investigation into his department earlier this year.
Federal Indictment and FBI Probe
Montgomery’s legal troubles began in February, when an inmate at the St. Louis City Justice Center alleged she had engaged in sexual relations with a deputy. When jail director Tammy Ross refused Montgomery’s request to see the detainee, he allegedly ordered his deputies to handcuff her.
That incident prompted the Missouri Attorney General to seek his removal and led to an FBI investigation into his conduct.
In August, Montgomery was indicted on federal charges, which were expanded in an October 8 superseding indictment containing new details about alleged retaliation against staff.
‘You Work for the Pleasure of Me’
Prosecutors say Montgomery demoted and threatened deputies he believed had spoken to the FBI. According to court filings, a recorded September phone call captured him making vulgar and threatening statements about employees he suspected of cooperating with investigators.
“They been telling the feds all type of s— … I don’t have to tolerate this s—. You work for the pleasure of me,” Montgomery allegedly said, according to the affidavit.
The next day, he reportedly barred three deputies from entering the courthouse, further escalating the conflict.
Removed From Office Pending Trial
Retired Missouri Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer issued the suspension ahead of Montgomery’s Nov. 18 hearing, where the court will decide whether he can remain in office permanently.
For now, Montgomery remains in custody and cannot perform his duties as sheriff. The St. Louis Sheriff’s Office continues to operate under interim leadership, ensuring prisoner transport and courthouse security continue without disruption.
Hanaway said her office would “continue pressing the case to ensure the people of St. Louis have confidence in their law enforcement leadership.”
A separate federal criminal trial date has not yet been set.
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