St. Louis has settled a civil lawsuit that Tammy Ross, the city’s deputy jail commissioner, filed against Sheriff Alfred Montgomery.
The lawsuit stemmed from a confrontation in February when Montgomery ordered Ross, then-acting jail commissioner, handcuffed when his office tried to interview a detainee who’d accused a sheriff’s deputy of sexual assault.
Ross’ attorney, Joe Neill, confirmed the settlement but did not immediately disclose its details. The sheriff's office did not immediately return requests for comment, and a spokesman for the city declined to comment.
The February handcuffing landed Montgomery in hot water when he was charged with a federal misdemeanor, accused of violating Ross’ civil rights.
Montgomery was accused of using an undisclosed phone to retaliate against and tamper with federal witnesses five times. A judge revoked Montgomery’s federal bail over those allegations, and he is in custody in an Illinois jail.
The Missouri attorney general cited the handcuffing confrontation as one reason Montgomery should immediately be removed from office. The case awaits a decision from Circuit Judge Steven R. Ohmer after a weeklong trial.
