Jesse Cordova, who has filed to run for a Festus City Council seat in the April election, is facing a Festus Municipal Court charge of fourth-degree domestic assault stemming from a December incident
Festus Municipal Court charges are heard by associate judges with the Jefferson County Circuit Court. The case has been assigned to Div. 14 Associate Circuit Judge Timothy Miller.
If convicted, Cordova faces a fine of up to $500 and/or three months of imprisonment, according to Festus ordinances.
Court records show that Cordova is scheduled to make an initial appearance on the matter at 9 a.m. April 7 before Miller in the Div. 14 Courtroom at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Hillsboro.
According to a probable case statement in the case, at approximately 9:05 a.m. Dec. 29, 2025, Festus Police were dispatched to a Festus residence for a domestic dispute.
“It was determined at the scene to be a domestic violence incident,” the statement said, and police arrested Cordova.
According to a witness at the scene, Cordova allegedly pushed down, dragged and choked the alleged victim, leaving “a light pink scratch” on the alleged victim’s wrist. However, the alleged victim sustained no serious injury, court records show.
The domestic assault charge was filed Jan. 21.
When the Leader contacted Cordova on Wednesday, Jan. 21, and today, Jan. 22, for a comment about the charge he declined to comment but said he would issue a written statement later today.
Court records do not list an attorney for Cordova.
Festus city prosecutor Brian Malone requested a substitution of counsel, which was granted, and attorney James Towey Jr. of the McCarthy, Leonard & Kaemmerer law firm in Town and Country will prosecute the case, court records show.
“When the report was presented to me, I recused myself and referred it to Jim Towey, the city’s special prosecutor,” Malone said in a written statement. “I determined that recusal was appropriate because Mr. Cordova is a candidate for the City Council and had filed a civil suit against the city.”
Cardova filed to run for the open Ward 3 Festus City Council seat on Dec. 9. On Jan. 8, Cordova filed a civil suit against the city of Festus and its leadership claiming they have improperly handled a proposal from CRG of St. Louis to build a data center north of Hwy. 67 and west of Hwy. CC. In his lawsuit, Cordova seeks declaratory and injunctive relief and civil penalties for alleged violations of the Missouri Sunshine Law.