Chad Michael Gosney, 31, of De Soto is facing a misdemeanor charge for allegedly trying to free two inmates from the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro. Gosney gained access to the Jail’s secured garage area by claiming to be a county officer, authorities reported.
Gosney was charged Thursday (Jan. 27), after the early morning incident, with false impersonation, a class B misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to six months in jail and a possible fine up to $1,000. He was being held Friday (Jan. 28) at the Jefferson County Jail on a $10,000 cash-only bond, court records show.
On Twitter, Sheriff Dave Marshak commented about the incident, saying, “What happens when you (allegedly) show up to @JeffCoMoSheriff jail sally port intoxicated and claim to be an officer picking up an inmate? We let you in, close the door and arrest you. Thank you to the Judge and our Prosecutor @JeffcoMoPA @StefanskiPA for a quick response.” Trisha Stefanski is Jefferson County’s prosecuting attorney.
According to the probable-cause statement in the case, Gosney arrived at the Jail early in the morning Thursday in a black pickup. He asked to be let into the secured garage through the intercom system and said he was with “Jeff Co” and was there to pick up two inmates.
The pickup truck had no law enforcement markings or equipment, and Gosney was not wearing a law enforcement uniform. Correction officers asked Gosney for a department service number, and when he couldn’t provide one, he allegedly said, “That’s a good question,” the report said.
Sheriff’s Office deputies and Hillsboro Police officers were called to the Jail, and they arrested Gosney, who is not employed by a law enforcement agency and does not work for the Sheriff’s Office, the probable-cause statement said.
Gosney did not say why he tried to pick up the two inmates from the Jail, but one of the inmates he asked for was being held at the Jail, and Gosney knew that inmate. However, Marshak said on his Twitter account, “We believe Gosney was acting on his own and the inmate he requested was unaware of Gosney’s actions prior to the incident.”
The probable-cause statement said Gosney has been arrested numerous times for outstanding warrants and has a criminal history that includes violent offense.