KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ray County Sheriff Scott Childers has agreed to step down from his position as sheriff, he announced on social media Monday.
The resignation is part of a settlement agreement with Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey's Office that also strips him of his law enforcement license in the state.
"Effective immediately this morning, I am no longer the sheriff of Ray County; I've turned in my resignation," Childers said in a video on Facebook. "The reason for that is due to the fact that I did not win reelection; there was no use to keep fighting the quo warranto."
During the Aug. 6 primary election, Childers lost his bid for reelection to Republican Gary Blackwell.
In March, Childers was removed from his position after the Missouri State Highway Patrol launched an investigation into his office at the request of Bailey's office.
Bailey's office accused Childers of multiple wrongdoings in the quo warranto issued against him.
KSHB 41 covered stories on the inmate work program at the center of the investigation.
The AG's allegations included allowing inmates to leave or be released from jail and allowing inmates to be released to work on Childers' property, as well as the property of friends and acquaintances, among other allegations.
"This outcome is a major win for the residents of Ray County who have been forced to watch the perpetrators of their crimes roam freely in their communities due to the negligent actions of those sworn to protect them," Bailey said. "I am extremely proud of the work my team put into removing another official who refused to do their job as required by Missouri law. We will continue to fight for Missourians across the state by holding bad actors accountable."
As part of the agreement, Childers will not be allowed to serve in law enforcement in Missouri again.
Childers addressed that issue, saying he was leaving the industry to pursue other opportunities.
"Not only am I stepping down as Ray County sheriff, but I also decided to retire from law enforcement," he said in the video.
The former sheriff's attorney sent KSHB 41 a statement:
The Attorney General’s press release misconstrues the settlement agreement that the parties reached in good faith. Contrary to what the press release says, Mr. Childers voluntarily resigned as sheriff and surrendered his peace-officer certification. The settlement agreement expressly provides that it “shall not in any way be construed as an admission of liability or culpability” and that Mr. Childers “denies any and all such liability or culpability.” We are disappointed that Mr. Bailey would resort to creating fake news, but his political gloating over the settlement agreement serves only to reinforce the defenses Mr. Childers made in the lawsuit about the political motives behind the lawfare waged against him by Mr. Bailey.
Childers has not responded to requests for comment.
He said in a video on social media he has opportunities that will allow him to spend more time with his family after working in a career that often kept him away.
Bailey's office agreed to drop the quo warranto as part of the settlement with Childers.
Ray County Coroner Bart Willim will continue as acting sheriff. He declined to comment.
Ray County Commissioners did not respond to requests for comment.
The incoming sheriff, Gary Blackwell, did not respond to a request for comment.
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