ST. LOUIS – Six weeks after being indicted on a federal charge for one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery was back in court and hit with new charges.

Montgomery faces four new counts of witness retaliation and one count of witness tampering. He was previously accused of ordering the detainment of Tammy Ross, a former St. Louis jail administrator, when the sheriff could not get access to a rape victim he sought for an interview.

Montgomery has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The judge placed the sheriff under house arrest while the matter is adjudicated.

After being taken into custody, the sheriff posted a lengthy message on his Facebook page, invoked the names of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, and called on his supporters to "remain resilient."

To my fellow Citizens of Saint Louis,

If you are reading this message, it means I am likely held behind bars against my will. But let me be clear: do not allow this situation to shake your faith in our democracy. I have always believed that your vote is your voice, and it is a powerful tool for change. Your voice has been heard, and you have elected a sheriff who is committed to fighting for your rights until the very end.

Think back to the great leaders of our past. When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested, he did not surrender to despair; he continued to advocate for justice and equality. When Rosa Parks was forcibly asked to rise from her seat, she stood firm in her conviction, refusing to yield to oppression. These leaders exemplified the resilience we must all embody.

In my community, those who find themselves behind bars are not forgotten. We are united in our struggles, and for those who have passed, we honor their legacy with celebrations of life and remembrance. It is essential to recognize that every challenge we face can either be a setback or a stepping stone towards progress.

I urge each and every one of you to remain resilient. Stand firm in your beliefs, for if you do not stand for something, you will inevitably fall for anything. Your rights, your freedoms, and your voice matter more than ever—do not let fear or uncertainty deter you from the path of justice and equality. Together, we will rise above this moment and reclaim our power.

Stay strong, and let us continue to fight for the rights that belong to every citizen of this great city. Your courage is the foundation of our democracy, and together, we will ensure that it remains unshaken.

In solidarity,
Sheriff Alfred Montgomery

Less than a week after the first indictment, Montgomery launched a fundraiser to collect money for the sheriff's "campaign," a move that could be in violation of the law, according to a legal expert who spoke with FOX 2 News.

The embattled sheriff also faces legal problems on the state and local levels.

At the local level, city leaders and Sheriff Montgomery are in dispute over whether a new ordinance can force the sheriff’s office to transport jail inmates.

Montgomery is also facing a quo warranto petition from the Missouri Attorney General’s Office seeking his removal.

Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a motion for a partial summary judgment this past Tuesday in the ongoing court case, requesting that the court issue a judgement on three counts of alleged misconduct outlined in the petition.