Former Potosi Police Officer Accused of Three Felonies to be Tried in Farmington

(Washington Co.) A former Potosi police officer who was arrested in August of 2022 in Washington County for three felonies, alleging the officer sexually abused a child under the age of 15 has received a change of venue in his case. 39-year-old Matthew Skaggs faces the charges of statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy-deviate sexual intercourse, enticement or attempted enticement of a child under 15 and first degree endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk. His case will now be heard in St. Francois County court. A news release from Potosi Police Chief Michael Gum said he was told about Skaggs’ alleged crimes by a citizen. The chief said he soon realized after looking into the claims that the alleged crimes had been committed by Skaggs. Chief Gum then called the Missouri State Highway Patrol to look into the claims. They did and the very next day, the patrol arrested Skaggs. That’s when Skaggs resigned from the Potosi Police Department and he surrendered his peace officers’ license. Earlier this year, Skaggs was charged in federal court with sex trafficking, solicitation of child pornography and coercion or enticement of a minor. Skaggs’ trial setting will be coming up on September 22nd at the courthouse in Farmington.