Elected leaders in Pettis County are responding to the recent revelation that no charges would be pursued against a former Sedalia councilman who was asked to resign days after winning re-election.
In an interview with KMMO News, Pettis County prosecuting attorney Tony Farkus said that his office did not have enough evidence to pursue charges against former first ward councilman Tom Oldham after an investigation launched by the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office in April. Farkus explained that the sheriff’s office had investigated messages believed to be sent by Oldham to an underage person, and requested charges of enticement of a minor. However, Farkas noted that state law at the time only allowed charges if a victim was 15 or under while the accused was at least 21. Farkus said the person investigators identified as the victim was 16. State law changed in late August to increase the maximum age for an enticement victim to 17. Farkus added that forensic evidence obtained by the sheriff’s office did not lead to other charges. The case was closed in late August, when Oldham’s phone was returned.
The revelation that Oldham would not face charges resulted in two Sedalia residents expressing disapproval during the “Good and Welfare” portion of last week’s Sedalia City Council meeting. The city released a statement Thursday afternoon detailing the timeline of their involvement in the investigation. According to the city’s statement, Sedalia Police and the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office both received complaints about Oldham on April 23, leading to the investigation. City officials then met with Mayor Andrew Dawson to determine the city’s response. Dawson asked for Oldham’s resignation that evening, which Oldham submitted.
In the city’s statement, Mayor Dawson wrote, “There could be no hesitation; the families of Sedalia and the people we serve had to come first. . . . I thought about my own children and about the families who place their trust in us, and I know the only right decision was to act quickly and decisively.” Dawson added that despite the prosecutor’s decision, “that does not erase the disappointment that we all feel in the conduct that came to light.” Dawson concluded that his focus is now on standing with Sedalia’s residents, supporting families, and working together to, “ensure Sedalia remains a community built on trust, respect and integrity.”
Click here to read the City of Sedalia’s statement.