Judge denies St. Louis Sheriff's request to block inmate transportation ordinance
ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Sheriff's effort to block a new ordinance that requires his office to drive city jail inmates to medical appointments has been denied.
On Tuesday, a St. Louis Circuit Court judge rejected Alfred Montgomery's request for a temporary restraining order, dismissing his claims that the transportation efforts would overwhelm his staff.
Last month, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer approved an ordinance that redefined the sheriff's duties, tightened financial oversight of his office and called for transporting detainees from the city jail to hospitals for medical or psychiatric care. This followed allegations that Montgomery's office refused to consistently assign deputies for this purpose.
For now, the St. Louis Sheriff's deputies will be required to take inmates to hospitals and wait with them during care through at least Oct. 15.
Tuesday's ruling keeps the city's ordinance in effect while the judge considers the sheriff's boarder arguments challenging the legality of the ordinance.
Unrelated to this case, Montgomery is also facing a federal indictment and quo warranto petition from the Missouri Attorney General’s Office seeking his removal.
The ongoing indictment and petition against Montgomery outline several allegations during his tenure, including claims of financial mismanagement, along with being accused of rolling golden dice to make decisions, using a deputy to pick up his kids from school, and ordering the detainment of former St. Louis jail administrator Tammy Ross.
