The Missouri Attorney General’s office on Thursday dropped its claim that Sheriff Alfred Montgomery committed nepotism by hiring his half-brother after DNA evidence showed otherwise. That same day, federal prosecutors indicted Montgomery on a misdemeanor charge for allegedly ordering his deputies to handcuff Deputy Jail Commissioner Tammy Ross after she refused him access to a detainee.
The handcuffing incident began earlier this year after Montgomery heard allegations that a sheriff’s deputy was having sexual encounters with an inmate. When Montgomery went to the City Justice Center, insisting on seeing the detainee, Ross allegedly refused to let him do so. Montgomery announced she was being held “in contempt” and ordered a deputy to handcuff her and take her to his office.
St. Louis police investigated the sexual misconduct allegations, and the former deputy was later charged with having sexual contact with a female inmate during the course of his public duty.
Ross sued Montgomery, accusing him of battery, unlawful arrest and violating her civil rights. The FBI investigated the incident, and prosecutors filed a misdemeanor charge against Montgomery, alleging he abused his power and violated another person’s rights.
U.S. Attorney Thomas Albus said Thursday he looks “forward to the case playing out in court.” One of Montgomery’s attorneys, Justin Gelfand, said the sheriff “maintains his innocence, and intends to meet this allegation head on.”
Meanwhile, Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office dropped its claim that Montgomery had hired his half-brother. Montgomery’s attorneys presented DNA evidence showing that the officer he hired — Malik D. Taylor — was the son of Mack Donald Taylor, not Montgomery’s father, Whitfield Montgomery.