St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery has been indicted on a civil rights charge, according to an announcement made Wednesday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis. Montgomery, age 28, appeared in court Thursday morning and entered a not guilty plea.
The indictment accuses Montgomery of a misdemeanor count of deprivation of rights under color of law, specifically the right to be free from unreasonable seizure. The alleged incident took place on February 14, 2025, when Montgomery is said to have deprived the acting commissioner of the St. Louis City Justice Center of her right to be free from unlawful detention by someone acting under color of law by directing and participating in her restraint and detention.
If convicted, Montgomery faces up to one year in prison, a fine up to $1,000, or both.
Authorities emphasize that the charge is only an accusation at this stage and that every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Krug is prosecuting the case.
