ST. LOUIS– Missouri’s Attorney General announced Thursday he’s seeking the removal of a southeast Missouri sheriff charged in connection with allegations of “street gang activities” attempted kidnapping and stalking. Late Thursday afternoon, an order of the Iron County Court approved Iron County Sheriff Jeffery Burkett pending further removal proceedings under a quo warranto process. 

Iron County Sheriff Jeffery Burkett, Deputy Chase Bresnahan, Major Matt Cozad and a fourth man, Donald Gaston are charged in Washington County Circuit Court. 

Burkett, who was first elected to the post in 2020, was charged with participating knowingly in criminal street gang activities, attempted kidnapping, stalking and accessory stalking, obtaining criminal history records under false pretense, misusing 911 and making a false report.

Court records indicate the allegations are tied to events tied to domestic dispute involving Gaston’s children, which are alleged to have occurred on Feb. 10 and 11 

Burkett’s attorney has called the charges politically motivated and claims that opponents in Iron County government have sought Burkett’s ouster since his election.

Burkett was arraigned in Washington County Court Wednesday. Bond terms call for him not to function as Iron County Sheriff. He was also ordered to turn in his firearms. The case has a preliminary hearing set for October 4.

In a Thursday morning news release, Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office said Burkett “has knowingly or willfully failed and refused to perform official acts and duties with respect to the execution or enforcement of criminal laws of the State, and has engaged in willful acts of misconduct, malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance in office” and that Burkett “abused his power and authority as an elected sheriff by encouraging other law enforcement officers to make illegal arrests and detentions, knowing that he had no jurisdiction or authority and knowing that the arrests and seizures lacked any probable cause or reasonable suspicion.”

The petition had asked the Court to remove Burkett from office immediately due to the Department of Public Safety’s temporary suspension of his peace officer certification.

“I am disappointed that the Attorney General's Office would attempt to remove an elected official from office before any evidence has been heard in a court of law,” Burkett’s attorney Gabe Crocker said Thursday morning. “However, I have been told that the Attorney General is a very reasonable and grounded individual and I look forward to working with his office to resolve this matter.”

This is the second time Bailey’s office has filed a motion of quo warranto to seek the removal of an elected official this year. Bailey sued to have St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner removed from office in February. The matter was ultimately dropped when she resigned last month.