Former Pevely Police Officer Steven Roth has been charged for allegedly damaging a pickup while he was assigned to traffic duty last summer, court documents said.
The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Aug. 21 charged Roth with first-degree property damage, a class E felony that is punishable by up to four years in prison, according to court records.
Matthew Brown of Combs and Waterkotte, who is representing Roth, said on Jan. 30 that he is still currently investigating the charges and waiting for additional evidence to be sent to his office.
“We intend to fight this case until the end,” Brown said.
Allison Sweeney, Pevely’s city attorney, said Roth was fired from the Police Department on Aug. 22, 2024. She said he had been a Pevely Police officer since April 5, 2023.
According to the case’s probable-cause statement, Roth was assigned to traffic duty at the intersection of Commercial Boulevard and Herky Horine Road. He was directing drivers to turn right onto Commercial Boulevard.
The driver of a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado followed Roth’s direction, but when he drove to the end of traffic cones on the road, he made a U-turn and started driving north on Commercial Boulevard. Roth then allegedly used his baton to strike the vehicle, the report said.
Roth allegedly damaged the driver’s side mirror of the pickup. The approximate cost to repair the damage was more than $750, according to the report.
Brown said Roth was operating in his capacity as a Pevely Police officer and had made a lawful command to the pickup driver.
“In our opinion, (the driver) failed to obey that lawful command, which resulted in Mr. Roth having to initiate a stop on the alleged victim in this case,” he said.