Attorney General's News Release

March 15, 1999

Fourth jailer charged with corruption in Miller County

Jefferson City, MO — The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri State Water Patrol on Saturday (March 13) arrested a former jailer at the Miller County Sheriff's Department on three felony counts filed by Attorney General Jay Nixon.

The arrest of Peter S. Armstrong, 35, of Olean, on the charges of acceding to corruption is in connection with an ongoing investigation into the county jail and the county sheriff's department. Armstrong is a former jailer and dispatcher with the department.

Two other former jailers, Trevor J. Plemmons and Timothy N. Scott, were arrested on corruption charges last week, and an arrest warrant has been issued for another former jailer, Eric Taylor. In addition to corruption charges, Plemmons also has been charged with one count of permitting escape and one count of delivery or concealment on premises of any county jail of narcotics, liquor or prohibited articles.

The complaints against all four defendants have been ordered sealed by the court. More arrests are expected as the investigation continues.

The charges against Armstrong are class D felonies, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine on each count. The charges against Armstrong are merely accusations; as in all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven otherwise in a court of law.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818