Potosi Police Officer Facing Three Felonies Has Posted $100,000 Bond

(Potosi) A Potosi police officer is out of jail after posting a 100-thousand dollar bond after he was arrested back in early August for three felonies, alleging the officer sexually abused a child under the age of 15.

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.

In early August, Potosi Police Chief Michael Gum sent a news release to local media that 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.

No details have been given about the victim in this case.

Chief Gum said in his only news release that he will not comment or release any more information on this case.

In his last court appearance at the courthouse in Potosi, Skaggs appeared with no lawyer.

He waived his formal arraignment.

Matthew Skaggs next court date is September 20th for his criminal setting.

Casenet.com shows Skaggs now has a lawyer from Clayton to represent him.

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