KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A former Grain Valley police officer faces nine felony charges for alleged sex crimes involving a minor, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office.
August P. Gildehaus, 27, has been charged with first degree sodomy or attempted sodomy, sexual exploitation of a minor, four counts of second degree statutory sodomy and three counts of statutory rape.
On March 5, Grain Valley police responded to a report of a missing juvenile. The minor, under the age of 17, returned home and reported sexual activity with adult men to their parents, including a police officer.
The victim identified Gildehaus to detectives on the Grain Valley Facebook Page and through sharing other "identifying details" in an interview.
Detectives also reviewed the juvenile's diary and social media for evidence of the allegations.
Court records show that on the following day, the Grain Valley Police Department asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol to investigate allegations that Gildehaus engaged in sexual acts with a minor between 2022 and early 2023.
The highway patrol continues to investigate the case.
The city of Grain Valley released a statement regarding the arrest:
The Grain Valley Police Department holds our officers and civilian staff to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. We expect that the actions of our staff in their professional and personal lives do not discredit the public trust put in the agency.
Our department was made aware of allegations involving a department member and we turned the investigation over to a separate and independent agency, the Missouri State Highway Patrol. We are thankful for their assistance in conducting a full and impartial investigation into the matter. We take any criminal activity seriously and therefore cooperated fully in the investigation.
There are rules and processes in place through the Police Officers Bill of Rights that we have an obligation to follow to determine the status of an employee. The officer charged with the offenses has been placed on paid administrative leave. We are committed to the oaths of office for law enforcement officers as well as the standards the citizens of Grain Valley expect from our department. We recognize the alleged crime is sensitive in nature and acknowledge the pain this can bring to individual families as well as the community as a whole.
As we embark on the future, we encourage the community to bring forth concerns as we enhance professionalism at the Grain Valley Police Department. Any further inquiries regarding this specific investigation should be directed to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.
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