A Missouri sheriff finds himself in federal custody, facing serious charges after allegedly retaliating against and intimidating witnesses. The case traces back to an incident where he had a jail administrator arrested, an action that has now spiraled into a much larger legal battle.

Alfred Montgomery, the Sheriff of St. Louis, was initially indicted in August. The charges were based on accusations that he misused his power by arresting the acting administrator of the St. Louis City Justice Center in February. The administrator had reportedly refused entry to Montgomery’s deputies, leading to the arrest. However, while Montgomery was out on bond, federal authorities claim he took retaliatory measures against those connected to the case by demoting or dismissing them from their positions.

According to the federal documents, Montgomery was caught discussing these retaliatory actions in a recorded phone call last month with an employee from the St. Louis Sheriff’s Office. The employee, who was demoted, is referred to in the indictment as W.H.

The indictment includes a conversation from September 5, 2025, where Montgomery allegedly stated, “W.H. ain’t have s— to do with it. We read the depositions. I thought it was W.H. That’s why I put W.H. back in his place, that’s why I demoted him at first, cause motherf—ers made it seem like it was … and they made it seem like it was W.H.,” reflecting his reasoning for the demotion amidst the confusion.

Further, the indictment reveals his intentions to target additional witnesses, identified as L.S., T.S. 1, and T.S. 2, indicating the breadth of his retaliatory actions.

From the indictment:

ln the September 5, 2025 recorded phone call, Montgomery further stated that “[L.S., T.S.2, T.S.1] been playing f—ing games since day one. [L.S., T.S.2, and T.S.1] the ones been telling the feds all type of s—… We got it on record, the depositions, [L.S., T.S.2, and T.S. 1] statements to the FBI, all the s— [L.S., T.S.2, and T.S.1] been telling them people … It’s been the motherf—ers the whole f—ing time … I’m sick of this s— and I’m sick of these snake motherf—ers … [T.S.1, L.S., and T.S.2] gotta go … [T.S.1, L.S., and T.S.2] definitely gotta go … I don’t have to take this s—, I’m the f—ing sheriff. I say it’s either done or it ain’t. I don’t have to tolerate this s—. You work for the pleasure of me. I brought you in this motherf—er, I will move you up out this motherf—er.

CBS affiliate KMOV reported that prosecutors alleged in court that Montgomery used a “burner phone” he bought while out on bond to make the alleged intimidation call.

Feds also allege that Montgomery barred the three witnesses from the courthouse and put one of them on unpaid administrative leave for “insubordination,” but never provided a basis for the decision.

On Tuesday, feds handed down a superseding indictment of Montgomery for four counts of witness retaliation and one count of witness tampering.

Montgomery, who was on house arrest from his first indictment, was placed into federal custody on Tuesday. Cops recovered 14 firearms from his home, KTVI reported.

His attorney proclaimed his client innocent.

“What happened here is the sheriff was indicted for five felonies he didn’t commit,” Justin Gelfand told reporters after the hearing, per CBS affiliate KMOV. “”Since when do you have a defense lawyer begging to put on evidence of actual innocence in a federal courtroom and a prosecutor saying I don’t want to hear it? That’s not justice.”

As a result of Montgomery’s arrest, officials named an interim sheriff, KMOV reported. Voters elected Montgomery, a Democrat, last year.