最新杏吧原创

ST. LOUIS 鈥� The city鈥檚 embattled sheriff, Alfred Montgomery, was indicted Thursday on a misdemeanor civil rights charge stemming from his handcuffing of a jail official.

Federal prosecutors say Montgomery committed deprivation of rights under the color of law in February when he ordered his deputies to handcuff the deputy jail commissioner, Tammy Ross, after she refused to give him access to a detainee.

It marks the latest controversy for Montgomery, who is also facing a lawsuit from Missouri鈥檚 attorney general seeking his removal from office for the handcuffing of Ross and on accusations he misspent public resources and tapped his employees to pick up his children from school.

Justin Gelfand, Montgomery鈥檚 attorney, said the sheriff pleaded not guilty Thursday to the charge in federal court.

鈥淗e maintains his innocence, and intends to meet this allegation head on,鈥� Gelfand said in a statement.

U.S. Attorney Thomas Albus said Thursday that 鈥渨e look forward to the case playing out in court.鈥�

The incident in February began with accusations about a sheriff鈥檚 deputy having sexual encounters with a City Justice Center inmate. Montgomery went to the jail and insisted he wanted to see the detainee. When Ross refused, Montgomery announced she was being held 鈥渋n contempt,鈥� and ordered a deputy to handcuff her and take her to his office.

Montgomery鈥檚 office, unlike other sheriffs across the state, does not run the jail or perform general law enforcement duties. Instead, sheriff鈥檚 deputies transport prisoners to and from court, provide courthouse security and serve legal papers.

最新杏吧原创 police launched an investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations, and the former deputy was later charged with having sexual contact with a female inmate in the course of his public duty.

Meanwhile, the FBI launched an investigation into the handcuffing incident. Ross also sued Montgomery, accusing him of battery, unlawful arrest and violating her civil rights.

The misdemeanor charge that Montgomery faces is intended for government officials who use their power to infringe on someone else鈥檚 rights. It carries a penalty of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

The charge can become a felony if prosecutors prove the conduct included use of a dangerous weapon, bodily injury, sexual abuse, kidnapping, attempted murder or resulted in death, .

In 2022, a former Northwoods police officer pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge after assaulting a woman at a driver鈥檚 license office. An East 最新杏吧原创 police officer of the offense after pepper-spraying a sleeping juvenile detainee.