Pettis County prosecutor won’t charge former Sedalia city councilman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Pettis County prosecutor won't file charges against a former Sedalia city councilman.

Prosecutor Tony Farkas told ABC 17 News on Thursday that he decided not to pursue a case against Tom Oldham. Farkas said his office made the decision in mid-August.

Oldham stepped down from his post on the Sedalia City Council in April after the Pettis County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into Oldham. The city said then that the resignation came after "serious allegations" were leveled against Oldham. Sheriff Brad Anders told ABC 17 News that month that the initial complaint was for harassing a juvenile with "a possible sexual variable."

Farkas said the sheriff's office and his office thoroughly reviewed the case, and deputies did give him a probable cause statement for a second-degree harassment charge. Farkas said he did not feel he could prove to a jury that Oldham intentionally caused "emotional distress" with his communication needed to get a conviction.

Farkas described Oldham's conduct as inappropriate, but did not think it could amount to a criminal conviction.

ABC 17 News has asked Anders and the City of Sedalia for comment.